Overview
- The new Town of Culture competition, aimed at small and medium-sized towns, will award £3.5 million for a cultural programme in summer 2028, with shortlisted towns receiving £60,000 to develop full bids.
- Expressions of interest for UK City of Culture 2029 are open with a confirmed £10 million prize, £60,000 for all longlisted places, and £125,000 for three non-winning shortlisted bids, with the winner due by the end of 2026.
- Town bids will be assessed against three criteria titled 'Your story', 'Culture for everyone', and 'Making it happen', with formal applications set to open shortly.
- An independent advisory panel chaired by Sir Phil Redmond will oversee assessments, and the City of Culture rules have been updated to be more accessible to large towns and groupings.
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy launched the programme during a visit to Bradford, citing early 2025 results there including over 11,000 pupils reached and more than 40,000 local participants in the first six months.