BCP Council has launched a joint bid for the first ever UK Town of Culture 2028 with the plan being to showcase the collaboration and merging of three unique towns.
The new national competition celebrates culture rooted in UK towns and local communities, with the winning area to receive £3 million to deliver a year‑long cultural programme in 2028. Two runners‑up will receive £250,000 each to support cultural activity. All shortlisted candidates will receive £60,000 to put together their full bid.
Cabinet member for Culture, Communications and Customer, Councillor Andy Martin, said: “Culture is the thread that links our three towns, and as someone proud to call this place home, I know just how much our communities have to offer. This is an amazing opportunity to highlight the work we already do together, open doors for new audiences and make creativity easier for everyone to access—building something that lasts well beyond 2028.”
BCP will be displaying the culture of all of it’s towns, from the Poole Museum to the Russell Cotes Museum and Highcliffe castle. As well as the world class performances of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Across all three towns, the Arts by the Sea Festival brings a vibrant annual celebration of creativity and our incredible grass‑roots community groups add energy, talent and diversity. Together, they create a cultural landscape that is vibrant, varied and uniquely our own.