UK launches £3.5m Town of Culture competition to spotlight small towns' cultural impact

The UK government has launched a new Town of Culture competition aimed at small and medium-sized towns to celebrate their unique cultural stories and contributions to the nation's identity. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the importance of recognizing places often overlooked in the national narrative, highlighting that the competition provides opportunities for jobs, investment, and creative engagement. The winning town will receive £3.5 million to deliver a cultural program in the summer of 2028, while shortlisted towns will be awarded £60,000 each to develop their final bids. The competition's criteria focus on the town's unique story, inclusivity in cultural programming, and feasibility of delivery. This initiative builds on the success of the UK City of Culture program, which has previously boosted tourism, employment, and civic pride in host cities. Additionally, the UK City of Culture 2029 competition is open with a confirmed £10 million prize for the winner, marking the first time an upfront government contribution has been declared.