Sunderland City of Culture Bid 2021

What is UK City of Culture?

The bidding process for UK City of Culture 2021 will see a host of cities from around the United Kingdom competing against one another to be the third UK City of Culture.

Following the success of Liverpool’s bid for European Capital of Culture in 2008, and the transformative effect that Glasgow’s 1990 title win had on the city, the decision was made to create a title of UK City of Culture, awarded every four years. The first award was made for 2013, with Derry-Londonderry the inaugural UK City of Culture, whilst Hull won the title for 2017.

What do you mean by ‘culture’?

Well, that is for us to decide.  Each city has the chance to define their own cultural programme so Sunderland’s City of Culture bid could include everything from our arts, theatre, music and film to heritage, craft, food and sport.

So why should Sunderland win?

Sunderland has a unique energy and ambition which makes this the perfect opportunity to bid to be UK City of Culture. From the new bridge, to the Vaux site; from the regeneration of the seafront to the redevelopment of buildings like the old Fire Station, the city is undergoing unprecedented change. Building on this momentum, as well as world class cultural assets like the Empire and the National Glass Centre, there’s never been a better time for Sunderland to win.