First US Creative City of Gastronomy

unesco & The Creative Cities network

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) founded the Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2004. Currently including 350 cities in over 100 countries, including nine in the USA, the UCCN is an association of urban areas around the world recognized for how they use cultural heritage and creativity as strategic factors for sustainable development. The network also supports designated cities in becoming hubs of creativity and cultural production, with increased opportunities for creators and improved public access to cultural products, and in exchanging knowledge and best practices with other Creative Cities. A city may apply to UNESCO for designation in one of seven creative fields: Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music. The designations are monitored and reviewed every four years.

 

The U.S. Creative Cities

UNESCO Cities of Gastronomy

The field of Gastronomy was introduced to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2005. The inaugural city was Popayan, Colombia. Currently, there are 49 designated Cities of Gastronomy.