Lerwick has been selected as one of just 15 places shortlisted for the UK Town of Culture 2028 competition.
Fifteen towns were recently shortlisted for the first UK Town of Culture competition – with Lerwick being one.
The competition attracted an extraordinary level of interest, with 398 Expressions of Interest submitted from across the UK. We are thrilled that Lerwick’s Expression of Interest, led by Shetland Arts, has been invited to progress to the next stage.
We submitted an Expression of Interest on behalf of the Shetland Partnership for Lerwick and the wider Shetland community. The EOI is built around a vision that celebrates what makes this place unique: our rich heritage, strong traditions, vibrant contemporary culture and the extraordinary creativity found across our islands.
While the geographical focus of the submission is Lerwick, its ambition extends far beyond the town itself. Lerwick acts as a cultural gathering place for the wider island community, and the programme we have proposed would be rooted in its venues, harbour, streets and coastal landscapes while giving expression to the full breadth of creativity found across Shetland.
The proposed theme, Around the World’s Edge, explores Shetland’s position at the meeting point of island heritage, community, innovation and contemporary creativity. It aims to showcase the distinctive stories, traditions and cultural life that have shaped Shetland and continue to inspire it today.
What is the UK Town of Culture?
The UK Town of Culture competition is part of the government’s ambition to restore pride in local areas in every part of Britain and deliver a decade of national renewal, following the announcement of the Pride in Place Programme last year. Throughout this year, this competition – together with the UK City of Culture 2029 competition – will continue to shine a light on local visions and voices from across the UK to help encourage increased local investment, create a lasting sense of pride, and open doors to the arts and culture for everyone.
What happens next?
Shortlisted towns will now receive £60,000 each to develop their full bids, which will be assessed by the independent judging panel. One finalist will then be selected from each category with the overall winner being announced early next year.
We are currently awaiting further guidance from the organisers on the next phase of the competition and will share updates as soon as more information becomes available. For now, we’re taking a moment to celebrate this milestone and thank everyone who has supported the initiative so far. On to the next stage!
"We are delighted that Lerwick has been shortlisted. The bid will celebrate our rich heritage and traditions while showcasing a vibrant contemporary culture and strong community spirit."
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