The strategy outlines the economic impact that investing in culture and wellbeing practices can provide, with an overarching vision for everyone to love stories and storytelling. Exeter City of Literature aims to make this goal a reality through accessible, diverse public programming, ongoing support for local creatives, and cross-sector partnerships that place the value of stories at the heart of civic life.
Within the plan, the charity presents five strategic outcomes for 2030:
- Improved Wellbeing through Words
- Nurture Locally Rooted Creativity
- A Better Connected City and County of Stories
- Greater Recognition for Exeter as a Literary City
- Enhancement of Equitable Cultural Infrastructure
These outcomes inform a wider aim for 2030 in which Exeter will be seen as one of the UK’s most inclusive, imaginative, and globally connected literary cities.
Anna Cohn Orchard, Executive Director of Exeter City of Literature, says:
“Today, Exeter stands on the precipice of a new chapter. We are a city proud of its heritage but equally committed to its future. We need to build not only on the legacy of the Exeter Book and the birthplace of Penguin, but on the aspirations of young people searching for creative careers, residents seeking meaningful cultural experiences, and communities that want to see themselves reflected in the stories of this place.”
James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General of the UK National Commission for UNESCO, said:
“Exeter has global recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Literature. It is fitting that in this 80th anniversary year of UNESCO's founding that Exeter City of Literature is launching its new strategy. The innovative strategy sets out how to develop Exeter's literary talent and infrastructure now and into the future, in the interests of local people, communities, organisations and businesses. It is part of a movement to connect the local to the global, and to use the opportunities created via UNESCO's name and its networks to help transform places and people's lives for the better.”
Emma Dunn, CEO of the Devon and Exeter Institution—a member of the Partnership Network—said:
“As a historic library with a local collection that has a global outlook, the Devon & Exeter Institution is proud to be part of the Partnership Network. This collaboration supports connection, creativity, and advocacy across the region, enabling us to share the Institution's stories more widely and help shape a more outward-looking future for Exeter.”
Exeter City of Literature is a charity established to steward the UNESCO Creative City designation awarded to Exeter in 2019. Its vision is for everyone to love stories and storytelling, and its mission is to celebrate diverse stories by working with our local and global communities. Along with 53 other UNESCO Cities of Literature, it provides opportunities for Devon residents to collaborate internationally and use stories to better understand each other and the world we live in.
The City believes in the power of words to imagine new possibilities for this world. Drawing on Exeter and Devon’s creativity and working in partnership with inspirational organisations, they deliver a meaningful programme to the residents and visitors of our city and county for years to come.
