The UK government has fired the starting pistol on an ambitious nationwide hunt to crown England's next 'Town of Culture', specifically targeting communities that feel they've been 'written out of the national story'.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the competition, declaring it's time to move beyond the 'same old places' typically celebrated in Britain's cultural landscape. The initiative aims to shine a spotlight on towns whose contributions have historically been overlooked.
Beyond the Usual Suspects
'For too long, our national cultural story has been dominated by a handful of cities,' Nandy stated. 'This competition is about rewriting that story and recognising the incredible creativity happening in towns across the country.'
The winning location will receive significant government support to develop and deliver a year-long cultural programme in 2027. While the exact funding amount remains undisclosed, officials confirm it will be backed by both financial resources and expert mentoring.
A Legacy of Cultural Recognition
The Town of Culture award joins the existing City of Culture programme, which has previously transformed fortunes in locations like Hull and Coventry. The expansion to towns represents a deliberate shift toward recognising smaller, often marginalised communities.
Recent research revealing that towns receive disproportionately low arts funding compared to cities has lent urgency to the initiative. The competition framework explicitly encourages applications from areas that have historically struggled to access cultural investment.
How the Competition Works
The application process involves several key stages:
- Towns across England can submit expressions of interest starting this week
- Successful applicants will receive development funding to create detailed proposals
- An independent panel will assess bids based on cultural ambition and community engagement
- The winner will be announced next year, with their cultural programme launching in 2027
This initiative forms part of the government's broader 'Levelling Up' agenda, using culture as a catalyst for economic regeneration and community pride in areas that have felt left behind.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport emphasised that the competition isn't just about identifying existing cultural hotspots, but about unlocking potential in places ready to reinvent their cultural identity.
