Southampton is one step closer to becoming UK City of Culture 2025, having secured its place in March 2022 as one of the four shortlisted locations.
The University was one of the earliest partners in the city’s bid to become 2025 City of Culture and has provided substantial support through our venues and staff team, but also importantly through our research. Professor Fraser Sturt has led on the research that underpins the city’s bid.
The City of Culture bid aligns with the University’s ongoing commitment to renew its civic relationship and redefine what it means to be the University OF Southampton rather than just a University IN Southampton.
Winning the bid could bring considerable additional attention to the city and region, with more people visiting the city, an increased profile and help cement the city’s recovery from the pandemic economically with more people shopping here, staying in our hotels and visiting our attractions.
President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Southampton, Professor Mark E. Smith said:
“We are delighted that Southampton has rightly been shortlisted to be the next city of culture in 2025.
“Being shortlisted recognises the hard work and support of thousands of people from communities within Southampton and across the wider Solent region.
“The University of Southampton has been a key partner in the bid application process, we already support arts in the city through the artistic programmes of our concert hall Turner Sims and John Hansard Gallery, our outreach programmes and of course hundreds of thousands of pounds a year. As the interim lead organisation in the Southampton Cultural Education Partnership we are engaged in research into the city’s arts and cultural impact.
“The bid team have been doing great work bringing together the cultural sector of the city and helping people to realise what could be achieved if we become the UK City of Culture, speaking on behalf of the University I look forward to welcoming the judges to Southampton to sample what our city has to offer and see the fantastic potential here.”
Southampton has been shortlisted alongside Bradford, County Durham and Wrexham County Borough. The Judges will now visit the locations and the winner will be announced in May 2022.
More information on the city bid can be found here.
You can also watch a recording of an online panel discussion, hosted by the University’s Engagement and Advancement Events Team, about Southampton’s bid to be UK City of Culture:
