Cultural organisations and community partners in Northampton are exploring entering an initial Expression of Interest (EOI) for UK Town of Culture status – a new national competition delivered by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), designed to celebrate the unique cultural identity and creative ambition of towns across the UK.
The competition invites places of all sizes to articulate their cultural vision and community-led programming, with the ultimate winner receiving £3 million to deliver a cultural programme in 2028, and two category finalists awarded £250,000 each. Shortlisted places will also receive development support funding to strengthen their full bids.
WNC, together with key cultural partners from across Northampton’s arts, heritage and community sectors, including Northampton Town Council, is in the early stages of considering a formal EOI submission. This initial EOI phase is a formal yet exploratory step in the process, allowing local partners to outline their vision and readiness to deliver a creative cultural programme in 2028.
The EOI deadline is 31 March 2026, submissions will then be assessed by an expert advisory panel against criteria including the town’s unique story, cultural accessibility, partnership strength and delivery capacity. Shortlisted places will be announced in Spring 2026, with full application guidance then published and further development support awarded.