Latest News | 24 August 2021
Derby among record number of City of Culture bids
Derby is among a record 20 places from across the UK which have submitted an expression of interest to become the UK City of Culture 2025.
The competition, delivered by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in collaboration with the devolved administrations, uses culture as a catalyst for levelling up areas outside London and putting new parts of the UK on the cultural map internationally.
Entrants have been tasked with proving that they can put culture at the heart of their plans to recover from the impact of the pandemic.
Bidding for the title has been shown to have a hugely positive impact on a place.
For example, previous longlisted bids have used the bidding process to bring together lasting local, national and international partners, share a vision for their area and attract investment.
To ensure as many places as possible across the country can take up this opportunity, DCMS are awarding grants of £40,000 to successful longlisted places for the first time to support their long applications.
The winner, which will be announced next year, will take on the baton from Coventry as the 2021 UK City of Culture and be at the centre of the UK’s cultural spotlight in 2025.
The benefits to the winner of the title are huge, attracting millions of visitors and investment and bringing communities together to showcase the place where they live to the country and the world.
Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “The number of bids submitted, and the range of places they cover, will make it a challenge for the judges but Team Derby is ready.
“We’re going into the next stage with a strong and well supported bid which builds on our heritage of creativity.”
The 20 bidders will be reduced to an initial long list of bidders in the coming weeks and then cut down further to a final shortlist in early 2022. The winner will be announced in May 2022.
