University supports Plymouth’s bid to be UK City of Culture

A successful bid would unlock £10million in funding for a year-long cultural celebration of what makes the city so special
Submergence is an immersive installation on display in The Levinsky Gallery

University supports Plymouth’s bid to be UK City of Culture

A successful bid would unlock £10million in funding for a year-long cultural celebration of what makes the city so special
Lloyd Russell
The University of Plymouth is lending its support to Plymouth’s bid to be awarded the title of UK City of Culture 2029.
The award would bring with it £10million of funding for a year-long celebration of arts and culture, giving Plymouth the opportunity to celebrate the growth of its dynamic cultural scene, and the people and places that make the city so vibrant.
It also presents a chance to showcase Plymouth’s strengths as a coastal city, and how it embraces its waterfront identity as an example to other coastal communities across the UK and beyond.
It aligns closely with the city’s wider priorities, including city centre regeneration, new neighbourhoods and housing, and Plymouth’s unique role as a centre for defence and innovation, showing how culture can support placemaking, skills development and wellbeing alongside economic growth.
The bid is being led by Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Culture, supported by a board representing key partners from across the city.
Professor Chris Bennewith , Executive Dean of Arts, Humanities and Business, will represent the University on that group and is already a member of the Board of Plymouth Culture.

We strongly support a City of Culture bid and it aligns with our civic mission to drive cultural, social and economic transformation across the city.

As a major producer of creative talent, research and public engagement, we recognise the powerful role that culture plays in shaping identity, building community pride, and unlocking new opportunities for our students, staff and local partners.

Chris BennewithProfessor Chris Bennewith
Executive Dean

Plymouth previously bid to become UK City of Culture in 2017, since when the city’s cultural landscape has changed significantly
More than a decade of sustained investment has helped establish strong cultural infrastructure, a rich ecology of artists and organisations, and confident, collaborative leadership across the sector.
The 2029 bid represents an opportunity to build on these foundations and demonstrate how a coastal city like Plymouth can reimagine its future, drawing on its history, its communities and its global connections.
An initial Expression of Interest will be submitted by 8 February 2026, with a full bid to follow in summer 2026 should Plymouth be longlisted. A programme of creative community engagement will sit at the heart of the bid process, ensuring that people across Plymouth can get involved, share their ideas and help shape the city’s vision for UK City of Culture 2029.
 

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