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What is the UK City of Culture?
The UK City of Culture is a competition run by the Government, taking place every four years. The winning location, chosen by an independent panel of judges, creates a year-long cultural programme which attracts national attention and brings huge benefits for local communities and the economy.
It is central to our thinking that UK City of Culture should be about both the year itself but also be profoundly transformational for our culture, our economy, our communities and our environment – and for our region generally – for many years thereafter.
Why are Great Yarmouth and East Suffolk bidding for UK City of Culture 2025?
Becoming UK City of Culture 2025 would bring huge benefits to local communities, promoting our beautiful region to the world, attracting more visitors and investment, creating new opportunities and helping to boost the local economy. As an example, the UK City of Culture 2021 host, Coventry, is expected to enjoy an economic boost of around £211 million, along with an additional 2.5 million visitors.
Most importantly though, a successful bid would enable Great Yarmouth and East Suffolk to hold a year-long programme of creative events and activities throughout 2025, especially for local people to enjoy. This could include everything from visual arts such as drawing, painting and sculpture, literature, music, theatre, dance, architecture, crafts, design, heritage and the historic and natural environment, to museums, galleries, libraries, the spoken word, film, broadcasting and media, video games, animation, visual and special effects, photography and publishing.
Both areas already have great cultural experiences to offer, from live entertainment, music, circus, maritime and arts festivals including the First Light Festival, through to historic buildings, globally-important wildlife areas and inspiring landscapes which are increasingly attracting the attention of the film industry.
But you’re not a city.
The UK City of Culture 2025 competition is the first time that neighbouring towns and areas have been eligible to apply together.
Great Yarmouth and East Suffolk have a lot in common, sharing a cultural history linked to the sea, beautiful beaches, historic buildings and both bordering the unique Broads National Park. Both districts are also going through considerable change, with areas being regenerated to secure a better future for our communities.
We want to showcase the region’s rich and diverse culture, celebrate our creative people, our buildings and landscapes and open them up for everyone to enjoy. We want to use culture to promote our districts, to attract investment and encourage regeneration.
What happens next?
An ‘expression of interest’ was submitted by Great Yarmouth Borough and East Suffolk Councils on Monday 19 July 2021.
The bids selected to move onto the next stage will be announced in September 2021 and the UK City of Culture 2025 winner will be revealed in May 2022.
The team are currently working to pull together partnerships, structures and funding required to ensure our 2025 Bid and programme is successful.
Can I get involved?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
The bid was jointly submitted by Great Yarmouth Borough and East Suffolk Councils however a huge number of community groups, arts organisations, businesses and individuals have already provided words of support.
As we move towards the long-listing date in September, we want to get everyone in the community involved and help to shout about what makes Great Yarmouth and East Suffolk unique.
We want residents, businesses, groups and organisations to feel inspired and get involved and we want to hear your ideas for events and activities which could be included in the 2025 programme. If you have an idea, want to get your business involved or just want to give us your support, please email gyescityofculture@great-yarmouth.gov.uk or visit our Get Involved page for more details.
