We’re proud to be supporting Durham’s bid to be UK City of Culture 2025, which has now been formally submitted.
The UK Government announces a UK City of Culture once every four years. Winning the title has enormous benefits in attracting investment, creating jobs, attracting visitors.
Being named UK City of Culture 2025 would benefit communities across Durham City and County, turning a national and international spotlight on the area’s rich landscape, heritage and culture.
For Durham 2025 partners, Durham County Council, Durham University and Culture Durham, ensuring the County’s bid supports the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda to address regional inequality is a key focus.
Durham University is a Principal Partner on the Durham 2025 bid, working closely with Durham County Council and Culture Durham – a partnership of organisations united by a belief in the power of culture to transform lives.
After months of preparatory work the final bid submission has been made, heralding the start of the next phase in this exciting venture.
The Durham 2025 bid focuses on the entire County, not just Durham City, and aims to showcase everything that makes County Durham unique, under the title ‘no ordinary county’.
Durham University is an integral part of the cultural vibrancy of County Durham. We have been part of the city for 190 years and our campus hosts some of Durham’s most historic, and most innovative buildings.
We have staff and students from over 150 countries, sharing their rich mix of cultural heritage with the community through societies and events.
We are home to world-class museums and collections and are committed to sharing these with the community, through regular exhibitions and events.
Amongst the hundreds of sport, theatre, music and art societies across the University are many which perform and exhibit publicly.
Our students also undertake 50,000 recorded hours of volunteering annually, working with over 200 charities and community organisations.
Speaking about the Durham 2025 bid, Professor Karen O’Brien, our Vice-Chancellor and Warden, said: “We think Durham would make an excellent UK City of Culture. We hope the judges agree and we look forward to being part of a rich and diverse programme in 2025.”
Durham is one of eight cities bidding for title of UK City of Culture 2025.
A team led by the UK Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will review the applications and agree on a shortlist to be announced later in the Spring.
A final winner is expected to be announced in Summer 2022.
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