Bristol sets sights on UK City of Culture 2029 bid
Bristol is preparing to take its first steps towards a potential bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2029, a title that celebrates creativity, community, and the power of culture totransform lives.
On Tuesday 20 January councillors agreed to submit an expression of interest to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). This marks the beginning of a journey that could see Bristol shortlisted for one of the country’s most prestigious culturalhonours.
The UK City of Culture programme shines a national spotlight on the cultural life of cities, bringing opportunities for residents and visitors to experience creativity in new and exciting ways.
Previous winners have seen lasting benefits: increased local pride, stronger community connections, and a boost to the local economy through tourism and investment.
For Bristol, the ambition is clear: to use culture as a force for inclusion and opportunity.
Philip Walker, head of culture at Bristol City Council, said:
“Our city is renowned for its creativity – from street art and music to festivals and independent venues. While we take pride in our city’s offer not everyone has equal access to cultural experiences. Barriers such as cost, location, and representation mean some communities feel disconnected from Bristol’s cultural offer.
“A bid for UK City of Culture would aim to change that. The UK City of Culture programme is about more than events and festivals – it’s about creating lasting change. For Bristol, this means cementing culture as a means to tackle inequality, strengthen communities, and inspire future generations.
“It means celebrating what makes the city special while opening doors for those who feel excluded. A Bristol approach is one that is rooted in its grassroots cultural scene – the community-led projects, local artists, and neighbourhood initiatives that give our city its distinctive character. By building from the ground up, our bid would seek to ensure that everyone, regardless of background or postcode, can experience and benefit from Bristol’s vibrant cultural life.
“We want to empower a whole city bid that captures the spirit of the sector and the communities of Bristol. Should the committee give us the go ahead to start the bidding process we want to build a bid on the power our cultural offer has to bring people together, foster understanding, and strengthen the voices of our communities.”
LaToyah McAllister-Jones, founding partner and lead facilitator at Citizens for Culture, said:
“After more than a decade working in Bristol’s cultural sector, I’ve seen first-hand the extraordinary breadth of creativity this city offers. As a founding partner of Citizens for Culture, Bristol is already shaping its cultural future with its citizens. This bid is about Bristol’s role in the wider West of England ecosystem and how UK City of Culture can deliver lasting regional benefit.”
Bristol now join other cities in the race to become UK City of Culture 2029. The process involves several stages, starting with the expression of interest and leading to a shortlist of cities invited to develop full bids.
We are proud to have several cultural businesses and organisations as Bristol Creative Industries members. They include:
Design West | RWA (Royal West of England Academy) | Watershed | Bristol Beacon | Curzon Cinema & Arts | St George’s Bristol | Bristol Cathedral | We The Curious | Tobacco Factory Theatres | Aardman Animations | Wake The Tiger
Bristol Creative Industries is the membership network that supports the region's creative sector to learn, grow and connect, driven by the common belief that we can achieve more collectively than alone.
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