Portsmouth’s UK City of Culture 2029 Bid — Community-Led and Inclusive
Portsmouth has officially launched its bid to become the UK City of Culture 2029, with plans rooted in community engagement and creative ambition. The bid is being coordinated by Portsmouth Creates, in collaboration with local partners including the City Council, Members of Parliament, cultural organisations, businesses and residents. (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
What “City of Culture” Means
The UK City of Culture title is awarded every four years by the UK Government to a city that can demonstrate:
- Creative vision with cultural programming for all ages and communities;
- Strong community engagement and collaborative planning;
- Potential for lasting economic and social impact through culture. (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
Winning the title can deliver major benefits — for example, past winners like Hull in 2017 saw millions of visitors, significant tourism value, job growth and community involvement. (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
Residents Invited to Help Shape the Bid
Community Drop-In Event
Local MPs and Portsmouth Creates are inviting residents, artists, community groups and businesses to take part in shaping the bid through an open, inclusive event:
- Date & Time: Thursday 11 December at 6 pm
- Venue: Confirmed closer to the event date (sent to participants)
- Purpose: To gather ideas, priorities and feedback from the community about the city’s cultural strengths and ambitions. (Stephen Morgan MP)
The event aims to ensure that the bid reflects Portsmouth’s people and cultural identity — not just official plans. You can reserve a place via the local booking form or contribute views online if you’re unable to attend. (Stephen Morgan MP)
MPs’ Comments
Local MPs Stephen Morgan and Amanda Martin have emphasised that this bid is a major moment for the city. In a joint statement they described it as an opportunity to:
- Unite communities around creative ambition;
- Highlight Portsmouth’s heritage, talent and cultural spirit;
- Build pride and showcase the city nationally. (Stephen Morgan MP)
Stephen Morgan said that “winning City of Culture status transforms places — but the journey itself can be just as powerful for local pride and identity.” (Stephen Morgan MP)
Amanda Martin added that the drop-in event is intended to be “an inclusive, open space for everyone in Portsmouth to help shape the vision.” (Stephen Morgan MP)
How Residents Can Participate
Ways to Make Your Voice Heard
Even beyond the drop-in event, the bid organisers encourage wide involvement. You can:
- Attend community meetings and workshops hosted by Portsmouth Creates and partners.
- Connect with cultural organisations to contribute ideas on programming.
- Submit thoughts and priorities via email to the bid team ([email protected]). (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
Artists, community groups and local businesses are especially encouraged to bring forward suggestions that reflect Portsmouth’s unique creative identity. (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
Timeline & Next Steps
- Bid Submission: The formal expression of interest is due to be submitted to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) ahead of the competition’s deadlines. (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
- Longlist Announcement: Expected in early 2026 (roughly February–March). (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
- Further Engagement: Community input will shape the full bid and cultural programme proposals.
Wider Context & Significance
Portsmouth’s bid is part of a broader strategy to position culture and creativity at the core of the city’s future:
- The bid builds on Portsmouth100 — a year-long city centenary celebration planned for 2026. (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
- Partners like the University of Portsmouth are actively contributing research, creative talent and programming expertise to strengthen the bid. (University of Portsmouth)
- The goal is not just to win the title, but also to drive long-term economic growth, tourism, jobs, skills development and community cohesion through culture. (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
Here’s a detailed summary with case studies and comments on Portsmouth’s resident‑driven approach to shaping its bid for UK City of Culture 2029:
Overview: Portsmouth’s Community‑Led Culture Bid
Portsmouth has officially launched its bid to become UK City of Culture 2029 — a national competition that celebrates creativity and community engagement and can unlock significant investment, tourism, and cultural development. The bid is being led collaboratively by Portsmouth City Council and Portsmouth Creates, and residents are being asked to help shape what the bid looks like and what it prioritises. (Portsmouth City Council)
The bid emphasises:
- Culture as a core part of Portsmouth’s identity, from maritime heritage to contemporary creativity. (Portsmouth City Council)
- Engagement with the city’s residents, artists, community groups and businesses to ensure the proposal truly reflects local voices. (Stephen Morgan MP)
- A vision that cultural regeneration can broaden opportunities, strengthen cohesion, drive economic growth and improve wellbeing. (Portsmouth City Council)
The timeline includes a survey open to the public (closing mid‑Jan 2026) to collect broad views and a formal expression of interest submitted to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). (Portsmouth City Council)
Resident Engagement: Surveys & Drop‑Ins
1. Public Survey for Community Input
Portsmouth City Council has launched a survey asking residents and visitors for feedback on:
- What cultural activities they enjoy
- What makes them proud of Portsmouth
- The city’s cultural identity and its perceived strengths/challenges
Responses will directly feed into the bid narrative and priorities. (Portsmouth City Council)
💬 Why this matters: In previous City of Culture competitions, strong local engagement has proven to both deepen community pride and strengthen bid credibility with judges (e.g., Bradford 2025 emphasised local narratives and diversity). (Government Business)
2. Community Drop‑In Events
Local MPs including Stephen Morgan and Amanda Martin co‑hosted community drop‑in sessions inviting:
- Residents
- Local artists
- Community groups
- Small business representatives
These sessions allowed participants to share ideas, ask questions and discuss priorities for the bid and cultural programming. (Stephen Morgan MP)
Local feedback themes seen so far include:
- Creativity and grassroots culture are cited as major strengths — from street art and music to student‑driven work. (Facebook)
- Some residents see the bid as a chance to boost the city’s visibility and reputation beyond traditional stereotypes. (Facebook)
- Others emphasise the need for inclusive projects that benefit everyday communities rather than only headline festivals. (Inferred from comments on local social posts.) (Facebook)
Case Studies: Community‑Culture Linkages
A. University of Portsmouth Partnership
The University is actively supporting the bid, especially through its Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries:
- Contributing research and creative talent
- Helping engage staff, students and local partners
- Using academic insight to strengthen cultural programming and strategy
This reflects a collaborative model where educational institutions help amplify community voices in the cultural strategy. (University of Portsmouth)
Impact Insight: University support can anchor bids in long‑term cultural and economic development, not just event‑based programming.
B. Portsmouth100 Centennial Celebration
The City’s Portsmouth100 centenary events in 2026 are being positioned as a springboard for the City of Culture bid:
- A year‑long programme of community‑connected events
- Opportunities for local artists, performers and groups to showcase work
- Engagement across neighbourhoods developing pride and cultural momentum toward the 2029 bid
This approach connects broad resident participation with measurable cultural impact — an asset for the bid’s long‑term vision. (Portsmouth City Council)
Local Comments & Community Voice
From local online platforms and social posts around the bid launch:
- Many community members express enthusiasm about the opportunity to tell their stories and feature in cultural programming. (Facebook)
- Some note skepticism about outcomes — emphasising that benefits should reach all areas of Portsmouth, not only central or commercial districts. (Reflected in community‑themed commentary.) (Facebook)
- A sense that grassroots culture (street art, independent festivals, student creativity) could play a significant role in making the bid authentic. (Facebook)
Why Resident Input Matters
Winning the title is not just about cultural programming — judges look for evidence of strong local involvement and how culture will be sustained before, during and after the designated year. (portsmouthcreates.co.uk)
Engaging residents early through surveys and community events helps:
- Build broad ownership of the bid
- Surface authentic stories and priorities
- Identify shared challenges (e.g., access, diversity, future cultural investment)
- Demonstrate grassroots support that goes beyond institutional voices
What Happens Next
- Survey closes — mid‑January 2026. (Portsmouth City Council)
- Bid development — local input incorporated into the formal proposal. (Portsmouth City Council)
- Expression of Interest submitted to DCMS. (Portsmouth City Council)
- Longlist announcement expected in early 2026 ahead of full bid.