By KLTV Newsdesk –

Council leader urges local groups to step forward as £3 million prize announced

Community groups across Kirklees are being encouraged to put themselves forward in a bid to become a designated ‘Town of Culture’ in 2028.

The Government has launched a nationwide call for towns to compete for the prestigious status, a programme designed to celebrate and showcase local creativity, heritage and talent.

The winning town will receive £3 million to deliver a year-long cultural programme in 2028, while two finalists in the same category will each receive £250,000.

Now, the Leader of Kirklees Council is calling on grassroots organisations to lead the way by submitting an expression of interest.

‘Local groups taking the lead’

In a statement, Leader of Kirklees Council, Councillor Carole Pattison, said: “The programme is all about local groups taking the lead with their ideas and ambition to tell the story of their place.

“We’re asking groups to let the council know if they’re planning to make a submission, as councils are expected to form part of the partnership for any successful bid, and we’re keen to support where we can.

“Kirklees is bursting at the seams with local culture, heritage and talent. We’re proud of our amateur theatre companies, choirs and music collectives, dance groups, heritage and history societies.

“We love our reading circles, visual arts studios, craft and textile collectives, our youth creative hubs, festivals committees and our faith groups, celebrating cultural traditions.

“Now is the chance for those communities to show off their creativity and tell their story on the national stage.”

“Our towns have rich and diverse cultural landscape, from our grassroots community groups and volunteers to our artists, musicians, performers and heritage organisations.

“Culture here is not confined to one place or one art form. It’s woven into the everyday life of our towns and villages.

“Becoming a Town of Culture would give us a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the creativity that thrives across Kirklees.”

Deadline Set for March 2026

Expressions of interest must be submitted to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport by 31 March 2026.

Successful bids will need to clearly set out their ideas, partnerships and overall vision for how culture would be celebrated and shared across their town.

Kirklees Council is asking any local groups planning to submit an expression of interest to contact the authority in advance, as councils are expected to form part of the partnership for successful bids.

Groups can notify the council of their plans by emailing: arts.creativity@kirklees.gov.uk

Further details on eligibility criteria, deadlines and available support can be found on the GOV.UK guidance page for UK Town of Culture 2028.