Dundee’s UK City of Culture 2017 bid team are set to harness the power of the imagination to wow the competition’s judges.
The team will soon launch an “open call” for ideas to help pack a year-long programme in the event of Dundee scooping the prize.
The bid’s core group will meet this week to look at ways to reach out to the public for their suggestions, in addition to the WeDundee.com website.
Bid consultant Bryan Beattie said: “We can’t guarantee that every one will be put into practice, but every idea will be taken seriously.”
Mr Beattie said winning the City of Culture year would not just focus on attractions in the centre of town.
He said: “Cultural venues are in the city centre, but the whole city has to be the venue for the year.
“A core part of the bid was saying that each area of Dundee will have its own year of activities.
“Everybody has some form of culture, they just describe it differently. We want to let people bring that to the surface.
“It could be weaving or performing in the street and it’s an opportunity for people to recognise their own cultural activities.”
If Dundee wins the title it will host four week-long themed seasonal festivals inspired by the river, the environment, people and heritage and the light.
Leisure and Culture Dundee director Stewart Murdoch said: “The river is the reason that Dundee is here. That has to be inspirational for music, dance, poetry and other cultural expression.”
He added: “We want people to help us explore these relationships.
“We know that organisations like the Rep and DCA will come forward with their suggestions, but we also want suggestions from young people, older people and community organisations and individuals.”
Mr Murdoch said that public hunger for a winning bid was vital in the months running up to the final submission to the judges in September.
He said: “I am told that this is how both Liverpool and Derry got their bids and I’m confident that’s what will get Dundee its bid.
“You won’t have to be online to contribute. You can contribute through a library, by writing a letter or going to a community festival.
“Karen Lyttle, who did the consultation in the Overgate, has offered to go to some of the summer community festivals and ask questions about what people would like to see.
“We want people to be able to do this very easily. There is a library within 15 minutes of every house in the city.
“A lot of people live here, so there is no limit on ideas.”