Bradford Wins UK City of Culture Bid

Bradford has been awarded the coveted UK City of Culture 2025 crown, taking on the prestigious title from Coventry. Bradford will now receive £275,000 in initial seed funding to aid the city as it develops plans for 2025. This grant will help Bradford to develop a year of unforgettable cultural activities and events.

The previous City of Culture 2021, Coventry, showcased how the title has the power to engage people from across the whole community, attracting £172 million in inward investments. Throughout their year as the City of Culture, Coventry transformed the city through a spectacular year-long cultural programme of ticketed, unticketed and online events. It is hoped that Bradford will see a similar success as the title can attract millions of pounds of investment, bringing in thousands of visitors and engaging with the local community.

Throughout the year Bradford is set to deliver more than 1000 new performances and events including 365 artist commissions, a series of major art festivals and exciting national and international collaborations. The theme will be ‘rooted in the unique heritage and character of Bradford and will reveal the magic of the district […] its ambition, and above all, its potential.’

As part of its status as UK City of Culture 2025, Bradford will be eligible for a £3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and now has three years to prepare for a year of groundbreaking cultural activities. The city is further investing in its cultural future having successfully secured £20 million from the Levelling Up fund. Bradford’s ambitious bid centred on their aim to create new opportunities for everyone and celebrate the power of diversity.

You can read more about Bradford’s plans as the UK City of Culture 2025 here and stay up to date with other news here.