OUR RIVALS FOR CITY OF CULTURE
... and they’re not all cities!
DERBY’S campaign to become the UK City of Culture 2025 is facing tough competition as more places than ever before have put in bids to for the honour.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said a record 20 places, including Derby, have expressed an interest in hosting the year of cultural festivities.
There is a bid from each UK nation, including Stirling in Scotland, Conwy County in Wales and a joint application from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon in Northern Ireland.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This record number of applications from all four corners of the country is testament to the huge success of City of Culture in generating investment, creating jobs and boosting local pride. This prestigious prize creates a fantastic opportunity for towns and cities to build back better from the pandemic and I wish all bidders the best of luck.”
The 20 bidders will be reduced to an initial longlist in the coming weeks and then cut down further to a final shortlist in early 2022. The winner will be announced in May 2022. Those which are longlisted will be awarded grants of £40,000 for the first time to support the next stage of their applications.
Entrants have been tasked by the Government with proving that they can put culture at the heart of their plans to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
The successful area will take on the baton from Coventry, which is the 2021 UK City of Culture, with Hull and Derry-Londonderry having previously enjoyed the status in 2017 and 2013 respectively.
DCMS said Coventry is currently providing a “blueprint for how culture can be at the heart of social and economic recovery” as the country battles out of the pandemic. It has received more than £15.5 million from the Government to directly support its year of programmes.
The city has also attracted another £100 million so far in capital investment to support cultural projects, such as Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry Cathedral and Belgrade Theatre, among others.
During its 12-month tenure, Hull saw more than 5.3 million visits to more than 2,800 events, cultural activities, installations and exhibitions, while 75% of those who visited the city in 2017 said it changed their perception of the city for the better. Nine out of 10 people in Hull thought UK City of Culture had a positive impact and 90% of residents took part in at least one cultural activity, according to department data.
The full list of bidders are pictured on this page.