Dorset Town of Culture 2026
bside parade, featuring birds by Emerald Ant CIC's Art and Friendship Group, by Jayne Jackson
We’re giving up to £30,000 to a town, village or hamlet to become the creative hub of Dorset in 2026
Dorset Town of Culture is an opportunity for a town, village or hamlet in Dorset to work together and deliver a year’s worth of extraordinary cultural activity. This can include new and existing creative events and projects that their community and visitors can enjoy.
Image: Wimborne Minster by Jayne Jackson
We are delighted to announce that Portland and Weymouth will be Dorset’s joint Towns of Culture 2025. Together they will deliver a programme of extraordinary cultural and community events and activities across the towns in 2025. They’ll receive £30,000 from Dorset Council UK that will be match funded by Portland Town Council and Weymouth Town Council.
Read our Full Press Release here
Read The Story of Town of Culture here
Image: bside parade by Jayne Jackson
Town of Culture 2026: Wimborne
Wimborne has been awarded Town of Culture 2026
Wimborne’s theme for Town of Culture is ‘Bridging the Past and Future.’ The programme will reach beyond the town centre into their new housing areas, to strengthen their communities and improve access to culture for everyone. They hope to combine their heritage and traditions with innovative technologies, to create a programme of events that appeal to residents and visitors of all ages.
Bridport is piloting Town of Culture in 2024. From July to December Bridport’s creatives and communities will create a vibrant and diverse cultural programme for residents and visitors.
Find out more about Bridport Town of Culture 2024
Image: The Portrait Challenge with the Lyric Theatre and Bridport Arts Centre by Michael Armstrong