Swindon & Wiltshire News
Swindon to make bid for City of Culture status
Swindon is to go head-to-head with regional neighbour Bristol in a bid to be the UK’s City of Culture 2029.
Representatives of the town’s culture businesses and organisations joined civic leaders today (Monday) to announce the bid.
Although not technically a city, the large town’s population excludes it from the Town of Culture competition.
And Swindon certainly punches above its weight when it comes to cultural output, with Swindon MELA, Swindon Paint Fest, Signal Festival, the Festival of Tomorrow and Shuffle, and Swinterfest – a music and arts festival currently taking place in the town which provided a launchpad for the announcement.
The announcement was made by Swindon Culture Collective in partnership with Swindon Borough Council at the headquarters of Create Studios at the historic Carriage Works.
Attendees represented organisations including Swindon Music Service, Swindon Heritage Preservation, Swindon Festival of Literature, Wyvern Theatre, Zurich Community Trust and Swindon Youth Voice.
Swindon is home to nationally-recognised organisations such as Create Studios, Prime Theatre, Swindon Dance, and Tangle Theatre, alongside thriving grassroots organisations and a growing independent network of artists, producers and community groups.
In August last year, Swindon Culture Collective CIC, a not-for-profit organisation, launched to increase participation, inclusion and celebrate 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 enable Swindon to host a wider range of performances, including major West End touring productions, large-scale concerts and other significant events.
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.”
Dr Roderick Hebden, CEO 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.”
The expression of interest, which comes at no financial cost to the taxpayer, will be followed with the publication of a long-list by the government in March. A shortlist will follow in autumn 2026, ahead of the final winner being confirmed in winter 2026.
The winning city could receive up to £10 million in funding.
