Sheffield has been named as one of the four finalists in the UK City of Culture 2029 competition.
If successful against its competitors, Sheffield will receive £10 million to deliver a year of cultural events and activities celebrating its local strengths and stories. The city faces strong competition from Milton Keynes, Wrexham and Blackpool.
At a celebration of the shortlisting yesterday at Alder Bar, Kelham, lead singer of Reverend and the Makers Jon McClure said: “I am very pleased about this shortlisting because Sheffield has long since punched above its weight culturally and deserves the recognition that comes with this shortlisting”.
The next stage of the competition sees shortlisted cities welcome an expert panel of judges to present their proposals for the £10 million prize, before the winner is announced in early 2027. Each runner-up will receive £125,000 to take forward elements of their bids, meaning Sheffield is set to receive an incredible funding amount regardless of the final outcome.
If Sheffield is to win the award, local artist Peachzz said: “I’d love to paint another mural; this city has been so welcoming with art, especially in the last five years. There’s been so many artists who have moved here, which has been very cool to see. It is a very tight-knit community of artists we have, so to see more and more people moving in is insane.”
The news follows months of work by partners, cultural organisations, artists, communities, businesses and residents from across the city, creating a shared vision for Sheffield’s cultural future.
Speaking to 360Wire, Sonia Gayle, Chair of the African Heritage Cultural Forum, said: “Sheffield deserves to win. We were one of the first cities to bid; it’s our time. We’ve been so patient, and Sheffield is doing so many wonderful things. This is an opportunity to show the world what we’re doing; it’s not just about Sheffield- we’re bigger than that. Sheffield is a beacon of hope”.
Jane Amphia from 360Wire spoke to Jon McClure about the shortlisting: