Overview
- The new UK Town of Culture competition targets small and medium towns, with the winner receiving £3.5 million to deliver a cultural programme in summer 2028.
- Shortlisted towns will receive £60,000 to develop full bids, assessed against the criteria of Your story, Culture for everyone and Making it happen.
- Expressions of interest are open for UK City of Culture 2029, which carries a confirmed £10 million cash prize for the winning place.
- All longlisted City of Culture applicants will get £60,000 for bid development, with £125,000 for the three strongest shortlisted bids that do not win.
- An independent advisory panel chaired by Sir Phil Redmond will judge City bids under updated rules that broaden eligibility to large towns and groupings, with the winner due by the end of 2026.