Milton Keynes makes final for 2029 City of Culture bidding process

Milton Keynes has been named as one of the four finalists for the 2029 City of Culture award.

The city will compete against Blackpool, Sheffield and Wrexham for the title, which will be awarded next year.

All shortlisted cities will each receive £125,000 to help take forward elements of the bid, while a panel of judges will assess the merits of each bid to decide who will receive the title.

Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Jane Carr, said, “I’d like to congratulate our fellow UK City of Culture 2029 shortlisted cities, Blackpool, Sheffield and Wrexham. This is a huge honour and a tribute to the hard work and vision of everyone who has helped to shape Milton Keynes‘ bid.

The last nine months have been nothing short of inspiring. Thousands of residents, organisations and the creative community came together to develop our bid. They all have a strength of belief in the creative and cultural future of our city, and we’re looking forward to sharing this momentum and spirit of optimism with the UK City of Culture judges.

We’re now on the cusp of the 60th anniversary of our founding and have so much to look forward to during this landmark year and beyond. Whoever is announced as the winner in January, we will enter our 60th year with our heads held high and know that – as our bid sets out – we’re just getting started.”

The UK City of Culture is the UK’s most prestigious cultural title, celebrating places that use culture and creativity to transform communities, attract visitors and create lasting social and economic impact. A formal prize of around £10million is bestowed on the winning city.