HLF has made a new commitment of £3m to the holder of the title UK City of Culture from 2021 onwards. 

The news comes as 11 areas are unveiled by the UK Government as bidders for the title of UK City of Culture 2021: Coventry, Hereford, Paisley, Perth, Portsmouth, St Davids and the Hundred of Dewisland, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Swansea, Warrington and Wells.

[quote=Ros Kerslake, HLF Chief Executive]"Heritage, much of which has benefited over the past 23 years from National Lottery funding, is so important to a city’s identity..."[/quote]

Ros Kerslake, HLF Chief Executive, said: “This list shows there is clearly a great deal of enthusiasm among the UK’s cities for celebrating their unique culture. Heritage, much of which has benefited over the past 23 years from National Lottery funding, is so important to a city’s identity, as well as making a huge contribution to tourism, jobs and the local economy. Building on the support we have given to Hull 2017, this funding will allow the UK City of Culture 2021 to showcase its heritage to the world.”

To unlock these funds the successful city will need to demonstrate that the creative programme:

• is underpinned by heritage
• reflects the full range of heritage the city has to offer and the interests of all its communities
• builds on existing investment by HLF

The UK City of Culture competition is designed to use culture as a catalyst for economic and social regeneration and raise the profile of heritage, arts and creativity locally and across the country.