City Council launches Crowdfunder to bring community art to Oxford’s May Morning celebrations

Businesses offering products or services to be used as gifts in a crowdfunding campaign will be acknowledged as key supporters.

The city’s May Morning celebrations have traditionally taken place from the top of Magdalen College Tower for centuries. The Covid 19 pandemic has meant the event had to be experienced distantly and online.

Magdalen Bridge, and its surroundings, is where thousands of people wait at dawn on 1st May for the choristers to sing Hymnus Eucharisticus, a 17th Century Latin hymn. In 2022, the choir will sing live once more, welcoming people back to the city as they gather at the foot of the tower.

This year, the City Council wants to celebrate with a particularly festive event and revive the fun tradition of decorating the bridge to welcome the spring.

Working with local artists and creative communities, Magdalen Bridge will be decorated with artworks reflecting the city’s hidden gems and there is an opportunity for everyone who wants to, to get involved.

The money raised by the Crowdfunder will be spent on commissioning artists, running a community competition and manufacturing artworks and products for the event.

Local business gift givers will be acknowledged as a supporter with free advertising in street displays as well as in printed and online publicity, in the run-up to and during Oxford’s special May Day 2022. With over 10,000 people expected to attend it is a great way of raising awareness of your business to a diverse audience.

“May Morning has taken place in Oxford for centuries. This year many people will enjoy it for the first time. We want the occasion to be special for them and all those who have been witnessing the hymns at dawn over the years. The life affirming ritual is a core part of the city’s yearly cycle. This is a moment for the city to come together and celebrate, and an opportunity for everyone to support a living tradition – one that makes Oxford unique.”

Councillor Mary Clarkson, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism at Oxford City Council

“Coming out of the difficult past couple of years, this year’s May Day celebrations are more important than ever. Working with local artists and our creative communities, we’ll present the very best of the city for everyone to enjoy. Marking May Morning with this added flourish will show our strength, our sense of fun and revive a past tradition where children used to adorn the bridge with floral art and ribbons.”

Paula Redway, Culture and Community Development Manager at Oxford City Council

To become a May Morning 2022 supporter or sponsor, contact Maria Clark at mclark@oxford.gov.uk by Thursday 31 March.

Different levels of acknowledgement will be offered depending on the value of the business gift.

For gifts or a donation to the value of £25 to £50 (Supporter):

• You will receive a window sticker “May Morning Supporter 2022”
• Your business name, listed as a supporter, on the May Morning event page on the Oxford City Council website

For gifts or a donation with a value between £100 to £250 (Supporter):

• You will receive 2 window stickers “May Morning Supporter 2022”
• Your business name, listed as a supporter, on the May Morning event page on the Oxford City Council website
• Your business name, listed as a supporter, on the supporter board on Magdalen Bridge during the event

For gifts or a donation with a value between £250 to £500 (Sponsor):

• You will receive 3 window stickers “May Morning Supporter 2022”
• Your business name, listed as a sponsor, on the May Morning event page on the Oxford City Council website
• Your business name, and your business logo listed as a sponsor on the sponsor board on Magdalen Bridge during the event

For gifts or a donation with a value £500 and above (Sponsor):

• You will receive 4 window stickers “May Morning Supporter 2022 ”
• Your business name, listed as a sponsor, and a link to your website on the May Morning event page on the Oxford City Council website
• A full event board to advertise your business on Magdalen Bridge during the event

How to Sponsor:

• To become a May Morning 2022 supporter or sponsor, contact Maria Clark at mclark@oxford.gov.uk for a sponsorship form