Portsmouth's UK City of Culture bid is a 'moment to be ambitious, inclusive and unapologetically proud of who we are'
The News is officially backing Portsmouth’s UK City of Culture 2029 bid - seeing it as a golden opportunity to build an exciting legacy, celebrate our amazing heritage and put us on the cultural map. Today we hear from five city leaders on why the bid is important to Portsmouth.
Andy Grays, CEO Portsmouth Guildhall Trust
When I came to the city 13 years ago, it was clear that Portsmouth had a unique identity centred around its heritage, national museums, the Royal Navy and Old Portsmouth.
However, the voice of the community in relation to the arts was relatively inaudible compared to other towns and cities across the UK. People working within the sector lacked visibility. The past ten years have been transformational. Our venues have developed with a wider and more progressive offer, and critically the voice of the artist is better heard and understood.
The bid marks our progress locally, regionally and nationally, and for the sector it shows that our efforts are being noted and have impact.
Andrew Cullen, CEO Portsmouth FC
Portsmouth Football Club is delighted to commit its full support to Portsmouth’s 2029 UK City of Culture bid.
We strongly believe that being nominated as City of Culture in 2029 will deliver an outstanding opportunity to celebrate everything that is positive about our city. Portsmouth becoming City of Culture will inspire, motivate and energise our population, showcasing our collective commitment to diversity, creativity, and community.
It will create a long-term legacy and generate fresh opportunities within Portsmouth for future generations from all backgrounds, as well as reinforcing the ‘Pompey Spirit’ - values of pride, passion, identity and togetherness.
We look forward to working with all sectors of the community towards delivering the Portsmouth bid.
Professor Graham Galbraith CBE, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth is a city bursting with creativity, heritage and community spirit that truly deserves to be UK City of Culture 2029.
We were one of the first universities to develop a Civic Partnership Agreement - a formal commitment with local partners to promote inclusion and enrich our economic, social and cultural life. We deliver this pledge by supporting business and encouraging community engagement, with our students volunteering 140,000 hours of their time each year to projects, public events and partnerships that help shape the region's cultural identity.
This bid is an opportunity to showcase Portsmouth's incredible talent and innovation nationally, creating opportunities that will benefit generations to come and cement our position as a leading waterfront city.
Professor Christine White, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth’s upcoming bid for UK City of Culture is more than a competition - it’s an invitation. It invites every community, every neighbourhood, and every creative voice to help shape a bold new chapter for our city. From football fans to photographers, from archaeologists and detectorists to street artists, performers, musicians and museum curators, this bid celebrates the full spectrum of Portsmouth’s cultural energy.
For Portsmouth, this is a moment to be ambitious, inclusive, and unapologetically proud of who we are. I’m thrilled for the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries to help lead that journey.
Natalie Brahma-Pearl, Chief Executive of Portsmouth City Council
Bidding to become UK City of Culture 2029 is a bold and exciting step for Portsmouth and one that reflects our commitment to placing culture at the heart of how the city grows and thrives.
This process will unite partners, communities and local talent behind a shared vision for what Portsmouth can achieve over the next decade and beyond. The benefits are real and lasting, from jobs and investment to improved wellbeing and stronger civic pride. This bid enables us to celebrate who we are, champion creativity in every corner of the city, and build a future rich with opportunity.’
Back the Bid
The News is officially backing Portsmouth's bid for UK City of Culture 2029 seeing it as a chance to ignite civic pride, strengthen community connection, generate economic growth and raise the city's profile.
Community consultation has been happening across the city ahead of the submission of an initial expression of interest on February 8. City’s chosen for the longlist will receive £60,000 to submit a full bid in the summer. The winning city will be chosen at the end of the year and be given £10m to deliver its cultural celebration in 2029.
The success of past winners like Bradford 2025 shows the benefits: millions of attendees to events, huge media coverage, thousands of volunteers and artists involved, significant investment in local groups and a boost to pride in the city.