Lerwick – a town of culture?
An expression of interest has been submitted for Lerwick in the UK Government’s new town of culture scheme
LERWICK could be in the running to be named the UK’s first ‘town of culture’ if it progresses through a new major government competition.
Shetland Arts has submitted an initial expression of interest to the UK Government for Lerwick on behalf of the Shetland Partnership.
The partnership brings together a wide range of local organisations, from Shetland Islands Council and the NHS to the UHI, NatureScot and the police and fire services.
A spokesperson for Shetland Arts told Shetland News that if Lerwick is shortlisted then this will “unlock funding to support the development of a bid for the £3 million prize”.
This development funding for a full bid amounts to £60,000.
While the main prize of the scheme is £3 million, which would be used to deliver a cultural programme in 2028 spanning around six months, two finalists will also receive a £250,000 prize each.
Back in 2009 the government launched the City of Culture competition, which has so far recognised Derry/Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford and is due to honour another city in 2029.
It said it is now building on that programme by looking for the UK’s first town of culture for 2028.
Secretary of state for culture, media and sport Lisa Nandy said “great culture is not confined to our largest metropolitan centres; it is everywhere, rooted in communities across the country”.
The government will select the “best small, medium and large towns” from the full applications it receives, leading to a shortlist of three.
Lerwick would fall under the small town category as it has a population of under 20,000 people.
The government said applicants are encouraged to include activities encompassing a “broad definition of culture and its creative industries and how it relates to the town’s history, story and community”.
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This could include elements such as visual arts, literature, music, theatre, museums, architecture, crafts, design, heritage and the historic and natural environment.
The deadline for expressions of interest was yesterday (31 March).
The UK Government expects to announce the shortlist of places that will proceed to the next stage of the competition in “spring 2026”.
Shortlisted towns then should have up to five months to complete their full application with the help of £60,000 funding.
A competition panel will visit the shortlisted places, and the hope is that the 2028 town of culture will be announced early next year.
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