“San Francisco offers the perfect setting for vibrant discussions about how urban centres can maintain their cultural identities in the face of rapid technological change.”

London N. Breed
Mayor, City and County of San Francisco

San Francisco hosted the World Culture Cities Summit 2018. This was thanks to its position at the centre of the creative digital economy and its unprecedented growth both in terms of economy and population. Culture and art is at the core of the identity of San Francisco as a city, and an integral part of its urban policy.

The Summit was an opportunity for city leaders to share challenges and ideas. It brought together the leading and most influential group of cultural officials in the world, all committed to championing culture in their cities as a powerful force to improve the lives of our citizens.

Cities came together to explore the year’s theme: Culture and New Technologies Transforming World Cities. Looking at the opportunities and challenges afforded by new technologies, and considering what they hope to achieve when technology and culture converge.

The theme of the summit was explored through three strands, demonstrating how policymakers in world cities use culture and technology to:

• Support and Enable Civic Engagement
• Broaden Cultural Participation
• Foster Collaboration to Spark Creativity and Innovation

“Our membership in the World Cities Culture Forum has proved invaluable when it comes to strengthening international ties and relationships between cities, which in many ways, are setting the pace for the future,” says Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny. “

I look forward to meeting with my colleagues and our productive discussions about the many ways we work to advance the importance of culture to our city, its urban policies, and our artists, residents and visitors.”