A meeting has been called to discuss a possible bid to make Huddersfield the UK’s ‘Town of Culture’ in 2028.
The Government has launched a nationwide invitation for towns to bid for ‘Town of Culture’ status, a programme designed to celebrate local creativity, heritage and talent.
The successful town stands to receive £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in 2028 with two finalists from their category each receiving £250,000.
Expressions of interest must be submitted by March 31 2026 and Kirklees Council’s Green Party leader Clr Andrew Cooper has organised a meeting to gauge reaction.
The meeting will be held in the Reception Room at Huddersfield Town Hall on Tuesday February 24 (6.30pm-8pm).
Clr Cooper said: “We’re keen to see as many groups and individuals who want to participate in the Huddersfield bid for Town of Culture to come along.
“Huddersfield has so much going for it. We have orchestras, brass bands, wind bands, theatre, dance, textile arts and much more.
“If we can get a good bid together we would be a strong contender for the £3 million funding pot and also possibly lever in Arts Council and National Lottery funding.
“We have a really positive story to tell and we want as many people as possible to participate in this exciting bid.”
One of the HERD festival sheep at Castle Hill. Image by: Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE
The Government has said bids can be community-led, not council-led, and Kirklees Council leader Clr Carole Pattison said: “The programme is all about local groups taking the lead with their ideas and ambition to tell the story of their place.
“Kirklees is bursting at the seams with local culture, heritage and talent. We’re proud of our amateur theatre companies, choirs and music collectives, dance groups, heritage and history societies.
“We love our reading circles, visual arts studios, craft and textile collectives, our youth creative hubs, festival committees and our faith groups, celebrating cultural traditions.
“Now is the chance for those communities to show off their creativity and tell their story on the national stage.
“Our towns have rich and diverse cultural landscape, from our grassroots community groups and volunteers to our artists, musicians, performers and heritage organisations.
“Culture here is not confined to one place or one art form. It’s woven into the everyday life of our towns and villages.
“Becoming a Town of Culture would give us a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the creativity that thrives across Kirklees.”
Expressions of interest must be submitted by March 31 2026 to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
Successful bids will need to clearly convey ideas, partnerships and vision for how culture could be celebrated and shared across the town.
Further Government information on how to submit an expression of interest, including eligibility, deadlines and support available, can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-town-of-culture-2028-expression-of-interest/uk-town-of-culture-2028-expression-of-interest-guidance-for-bidders.
