A COMPETITION has been launched to design a logo for Liverpool City Regions' Borough of Culture initiative.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram launched the competition at an event hosted by Wirral Council and National Museums Liverpool.

Held at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, the event previewed highlights of Wirral's event programme ahead of becoming the Borough of Culture 2019.

The title is awarded by the city region's combined authority to one of its six local authorities on a yearly basis, with the winner receiving £300,000 to support cultural events throughout the year as part of 1% for Culture programme.

Mayor Rotheram said: “As the first Combined Authority in the country to include culture as part of our devolution deal, we are excited to launch this competition to design the official logo for our Borough of Culture initiative.

“Culture and the visitor economy are vital to our city region, employing more than 50,000 people and generating more than £4.5billion a year.

"In recognition of its importance, we launched our 1% for Culture programme to stimulate talent, aspiration and promote creativity and economic growth through cultural engagement and activity across the city-region.

"The Borough of Culture is an essential part of that programme.

“This competition is open to everyone over the age of 16 – design professionals and amateurs alike – and I’d encourage people to get their creative juices flowing and produce a logo that will be used to help promote the Borough of Culture for years to come.”

To enter the competition, you have to be over 16-years-old, living in the city region and your design must be original.

The winner will receive a cash prize of £800 and the design will be developed into the Borough of Culture official logo from 2019.

So what are they looking for?

  • An original design for a logo that will represent the Borough of Culture brand.
  • A design that captures the spirit of creativity and Culture in ALL its forms but which is simple, clear and easily recognisable.
  • It should not be too cluttered or use stereotypical images eg theatre masks/paintbrushes/film reel.
  • The logo could be a type treatment (eg uses the words Borough of Culture) and/or can be an image based design.
  • The brand must not incorporate any of the already established elements of each Liverpool City Region Borough’s logo identity – but must be compatible with them.
  • The logo will need to be able to be applied across all promotional materials, including merchandising in print and online through social media channels and website.
  • Your design should be effective in both colour and black and white versions.

Artwork can be hand drawn sketches, paintings, digitally produced and will also be accepted in full colour and in horizontal/rectangular format.

Leader of Wirral Council Cllr Phil Davies said: “Wirral is hugely proud to have been awarded Borough of Culture for 2019.

"We have had a remarkable year with our Imagine Wirral programme of culture, creativity and ideas in 2018, which has showcased Wirral on a regional, national and international platform like never before, generated substantial economic impact and demonstrated how culture can help deliver on our ambitious growth plans.

“The Borough of Culture title will enable us to deliver another incredible year of cultural events and projects.

"We’re looking forward to creating unforgettable experiences for our residents and visitors, as well as providing fantastic opportunities for our children and young people and developing creative collaborations across the city region.”

All entries must be submitted by Monday, January 7 at 12pm, files should be jpg format and authors must include their name, age and contact details plus a short description about the design in no more than 250 words.

Submit your entries via Boroughofculturelogo@liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk

For more information about Wirral being awarded Borough of Culture 2019 click here.

More details on how to enter the competition are available at http://liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/logo-competition