The town’s population size means it qualifies for the city category and it is up against Bristol and Plymouth in the West Country
One of the early locomotives for Brunel’s Great Western Railway at the STEAM Museum, Swindon(Image: Bristol Times)
Swindon has entered the race to become the UK’s City of Culture 2029. The Wiltshire town’s population size – more than 220,000 people – means it qualifies to compete in the city category and it formally announced its bid at an event at the historic Carriage Works on Monday.
Swindon Borough Council is working with Swindon Culture Collective – a not-for-profit cultural group – on the bid and has already garnered support from local organisations including Swindon Music Service, Swindon Heritage Preservation, Swindon Festival of Literature, Wyvern Theatre, Zurich Community Trust and Swindon Youth Voice.
The town is up against strong competition, including Bristol and Plymouth in the West of England.
The winner of the initiative will secure £10m of government cash for arts projects and cultural events. Previous holders of the UK City of Culture title include Derry/Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford.
The title is also proven to boost grassroots creativity, widen participation in the arts and bring significant new investment and tourism.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for placemaking and planning, said: “Swindon is a town built by thinkers, makers, learners and doers.
“We were always driven by creativity and innovation to make the town an important industrial and civic showcase. Becoming UK City of Culture would give us the chance to celebrate who we are, tell new stories and open possibilities for residents, businesses and visitors.
“I am confident that the bid to become City of Culture will be supported by our plans for a new regional entertainment venue in the town centre. We are currently working on building a solid funding plan for the venue as part of our continued belief in Swindon as a brilliant place and a cultural powerhouse.”
A general view over housing on the edge of Swindon town centre(Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Swindon Culture Collective was launched last year in a bid to increase participation, inclusion in Swindon’s creative life. It is delivering a two-year programme of cultural activity in the town, part-funded by £600,000 from Arts Council England’s National Lottery Place Partnership Fund.
The council is also continuing work to explore options for delivering a new state-of-the-art town centre entertainment venue to replace the ageing Wyvern Theatre. The project would allow Swindon to host a wider range of performances, including major West End touring productions, large-scale concerts and other significant events.
Swindon Borough Council said the initial expression of interest would be submitted at no additional cost to the council and would “celebrate Swindon’s identity and the people who make it a place of ideas, energy and progress”.
The government is expected to announce a longlist in March, with each selected place receiving £60,000 to develop a full bid. A shortlist will follow in the autumn, ahead of the final winner being confirmed in the winter of this year.
Dr Roderick Hebden, chief executive of Swindon Culture Collective, said: “This is exactly the right time for Swindon to be making this statement of intent.
“As a town, we’re now recognised not just for the quality and diversity of our cultural offer, but for the way the whole town has come together to imagine our future together. Our Place Partnership Project will build on that success and create the momentum needed to develop our City of Culture ambitions.”
Gracie and Luca, two young people from Swindon Youth Voice, added: “It’s very exciting and interesting to see that Swindon is putting itself forward to be a City of Culture. There is so much history and heritage in Swindon that a lot of people aren’t taught in schools and, hopefully, this will bring attention to this and allow people to learn more about Swindon.”
