Sheffield unveils 'ambitious' City of Culture bid

Sheffield City Council has unveiled its proposed UK City of Culture 2029 programme, inspired by the area's music and sporting heritage, natural beauty and emerging talent.

Called "Grassroots to Global" ideas include a 10,000-strong singing project, youth and disability-led programmes and celebrating the district's varied outdoor spaces.

Sheffield has been shortlisted alongside Blackpool, Milton Keynes and Wrexham for the title, with the winner due to be announced in May.

Council leader Fran Belbin said: "There is still a competition to win, which means the full detail of the bid can't yet be revealed – but the plans set out alongside this report give a flavour of our ambitious programme."

She added: "Being shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2029 is a huge moment for Sheffield, but now we have the opportunity to show what holding the title could actually mean for our city and the UK."

Other concepts include "a city transformed by light", celebrating Sheffield's relationship with the Peak District and investment in the city's already established festivals.

The local authority said its bid was built around a year of culture involving its local communities and aims to "bring Sheffield to the world, and the world to Sheffield".

The details are due to go before the Strategy and Resources Committee on 11 November, where councillors will be asked approve in principle a contribution of £10m if Sheffield goes on to win the UK City of Culture 2029 title.

The council contribution would form part of an overall programme budget of £42m between 2027 and 2030 - including £10m from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and further proposed funding from other public bodies, National Lottery funding, sponsorship, trusts and foundations, philanthropy and earned income.

Belbin added: "Holding the title could also help us attract visitors from around the world, giving more people the chance to discover everything Sheffield has to offer."

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