The Isle of Man Arts Council is excited to announce that Davy Knowles has agreed to be a Cultural Ambassador for Island of Culture 2014. Davy joins Lloyd Mayor (currently dancing with the Martha Graham Company in New York) and Jason Evans (Principal Trumpet with the London Philharmonia) in representing arts and culture for the Isle of Man during the special year being planned by the Isle of Man Arts Council.
 
Island of Culture 2014 will be the largest cultural celebration in the history of the Isle of Man. Spread over twelve months, it will celebrate the large and varied artistic and cultural life we enjoy. 2014 will give everyone in the Isle of Man a chance to be part of our rich cultural life and inspire creativity across all forms of culture, especially among young people.
 
The Arts Council is recruiting Cultural Ambassadors as part of its youth engagement programme for 2014 with the intention that they will inspire young people on the Isle of Man through their success and achievements and encourage people to get involved in something creative.
 
Davy, who went to Castle Rushen High School, is a singer/songwriter and blues guitarist currently working in America and forging a highly successful music career. He played in local band Back Door Slam until deciding to follow a solo career. His first solo album ‘Coming up For Air’ reached number two on the Billboard Blues Albums Charts on two separate occasions in 2009. Davy wrote and performed the anthem for the Isle of Man Commonwealth Youth Games in 2011 ‘Reach Higher’ which was commissioned by the Arts Council. 
 
Davy still manages to come home on a regular basis and most recently performed at The Bay in Port Erin and busked in Castletown during National Week. He is planning to work on a project for Island of Culture that will see him come home in 2014 to learn traditional Manx music and record a special performance.
 
Davy said, “I am thrilled and honoured to be asked to be amongst fine company as a Cultural Ambassador for next year's 'Island Of Culture'. I'm looking forward to helping promote our wonderful culture and heritage and at the same time diving in and deepening my own knowledge and understanding of the music of the Isle of Man.”
 
Geoff Corkish MBE MLC, Chairman of the Arts Council said “It is tremendous that we can add Davy to our growing list of successful young people who will help us promote the creative industries during 2014. The young talent we have on the Isle of Man is rich and abundant and people like Davy, Lloyd and Jason are a testament to that. The Arts Council provides support to many young people seeking to study and work in culture and the arts. It is with great pleasure that we can invite some of them to play such an important part in Island of Culture, helping us to build a legacy for the future.” 
 
For more information about Island of Culture 2014 visit www.islandofculture.im or contact the Arts Council on Tel: 694598 or email: iomartscouncil@gov.im.