Barnsley planning to bid for UK Town of Culture 2028

A group of cultural organisations are working together on a bid for Barnsley to become UK Town of Culture 2028 and we’d like local people to tell us what cultural activity makes Barnsley special to them.  

The UK Government has announced a new UK Town of Culture competition which is designed to strengthen local pride and identity, drive inclusive economic growth, expand access to high-quality cultural experiences and encourage collaboration across cultural, civic, and community sectors.  

The winning town will receive £3 million to deliver a transformational cultural programme. The runners-up will also receive investment to support part of their proposal.  

Local organisations including Barnsley Council, ArtWorks South Yorkshire, Barnsley Civic, Barnsley Community and Voluntary Services, Gary Clarke Company, the National Trust’s Wentworth Castle Gardens, and Yorkshire Sculpture Park have all expressed their support. These organisations will now be working together to prepare and submit an expression of interest to the government to begin the process of bidding for Town of Culture status. 

Winning UK Town of Culture 2028 would be an opportunity to recognise and build on the wealth of creativity already happening right across the borough. It would be a chance to bring together every part of our cultural landscape to stage an inspirational cultural programme for all residents, businesses and visitors to take part in.  

One of the key priorities for Barnsley as the Place of Possibilities is that everyone has the opportunity to create wider social connections and enjoy cultural experiences. 

We’d like to gather local views to help shape this. We’re asking residents to complete a short survey. This will help us understand what makes Barnsley special to you, the kinds of events and activities people value, and how a Town of Culture programme could benefit communities across the borough. Your responses will help inform the Barnsley story, ideas, priorities, and evidence included in the Town of Culture Expression of Interest. 

Barnsley Town Board includes representatives from the council, local businesses, cultural organisations and charities, and last week voted to back the bid.  

Edward Naylor, Chairperson of the Barnsley Town Board, said:

Town of Culture presents a fantastic opportunity and it’s important that cultural organisations across Barnsley pull together to help bring this home for the borough.

“We know Barnsley has a really strong story to tell as a candidate for UK Town of Culture, but we’d like to hear from as many local people as possible to tell us what culture means to them. Please visit barnsley.gov.uk/consultations to fill in the Town of Culture survey. 

Dan Winder, Chief Executive of Barnsley Civic, said: 

Barnsley Civic, and all of its family of artists, dancers, makers, poets and performers, are delighted to join with a broad range of other partners to support Barnsley's bid for Town of Culture. We couldn't be prouder of our town, our culture and our people. 

"There will be lots of towns bidding for the honour of being the UK's first Town of Culture, but, from our brass bands to our dance schools, from our famous wordsmiths to our cutting-edge artists, Barnsley is full to bursting with creativity. We know our history of radical renewal, our collective capacity for reinvention, often in the face of adversity, and our deep traditions of generosity, community and collective action - all of this will inform our unique offer. 

"We look forward to contributing to a hopeful and positive bid that celebrates Barnsley’s story and imagines a brighter, more creative future for everyone.

There is something special about Barnsley; from the stories that shaped our past, to the stories which will be shared about our town, culture and people in the future, the National Trust here at Wentworth Castle Gardens are excited to support Barnsley’s bid to become the UK Town of Culture.

"Alongside partners across our cultural organisations, makers, poets and creatives we look forward to helping shape a bid which highlights our shared past and celebrates the rich cultural heritage across Barnsley. 

Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said:

Barnsley’s cultural landscape is rich, layered, and it’s deeply rooted in our heritage of making, music, and local community traditions.

"We’re proud to be home to so many cultural institutions who all work together with thousands of local people to help make culture an everyday part of people’s lives. It’s fantastic that we already have such strong support from across the cultural sector to bid for UK Town of Culture.

"Any other cultural organisations or groups who would like to be involved, kept informed, or simply want to ‘back the bid’ are encouraged to email culture@barnsley.gov.uk to register their interest. They can also fill in the survey.

A link to the survey can be found at barnsley.gov.uk/consultations and it will remain open until midnight on Sunday 15 March.