Wandsworth To Bid To Be London Borough of Culture 2025
Says winning title would attract investment and job opportunities
Council Leader Simon Hogg and Deputy Leader Kemi Akinola (back) launch culture bid
Wandsworth Council has announced its intention to be one of the bidders to be London Borough of Culture 2025.
The Mayor of London’s culture scheme provides the winning borough with funding towards a year-long programme which celebrates local culture and heritage.
It is hoped that given the rich mix of places, artists and communities in Wandsworth, the London Borough of Culture title will attract inward investment to develop the borough’s cultural and heritage sector, create new employment opportunities and enhance creative programmes for residents.
Wandsworth is home to creative and cultural organisations including Royal College of Art, Battersea Arts Centre, National Opera Studio and Royal Academy of Dance. They're joined by high-profile and grassroots organisations such as Tara Theatre, Oily Cart, Sprout Art, Putney Arts Theatre, Matt’s Gallery, World Heart Beat, Wandsworth Music, Soundminds and Baked Bean Theatre Company. The borough is also home to venues such as Battersea Park, Tooting Market and Clapham Junction.
If named London Borough of Culture, the council will showcase this heritage through an array of artistic events, community engagements, and projects.
Over the coming months Wandsworth Council will develop the bid, collaborating with people across the borough including local stakeholders, artists, and community groups. The final bid submission is due in December 2023, and the successful London Borough of Culture for 2025 will be announced in early 2024.
Simon Hogg said, “We’re delighted to be going for London Borough of Culture 2025 – it signals real confidence in a changing, modern Wandsworth. We can’t wait to show London and the world what our wonderful borough has to offer.”
“We need to do this together - so we want to hear your ideas to shape our proposals for the borough’s bid.”
Kemi Akinola, Deputy Leader of Wandsworth Council, said: “We're incredibly proud of our borough. Wandsworth is full of people who create, innovate and share their time with others in the community.
“Culture is our local identity so we invite everyone living, working and studying in Wandsworth to help showcase our borough so we can win London Borough of Culture in 2025.”
The council wants everyone in the borough to get involved in formulating the bid – find out more at Wandsworth.gov.uk/culture.
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