Culture | Posted on July 2nd, 2026 | return to news

Search is on for Dorset Town of Culture 2027

Towns in the county have until Monday 13 July to apply for the chance to lead a programme of arts, events and creative activity.

Wimborne Minster is the Dorset Town of Culture for 2026, but the search is on for the next town in Dorset to take the title for next year.

Applications close on Monday 13 July, and towns are invited to apply, with £30,000 in match-funding from Dorset Council to help bring ambitious community-led programmes to life.

Dorset Town of Culture is a countywide programme created in 2024 by the Arts Development Company, an organisation that supports arts and culture across Dorset. The scheme helps towns develop and showcase their cultural offer, with a clear focus on community involvement and lasting impact.

The initiative gives one town each year the chance to lead a programme of arts, events and creative activity that brings people together, supports local pride and boosts the area’s profile.

The programme has already delivered strong results.

Bridport, the pilot Town of Culture in 2024, hosted 35 events, attracting around 10,000 people.

Portland and Weymouth delivered 24 projects involving 137 artists and welcomed more than 15,000 attendees in 2025.

Towns applying for the 2027 title will need to show a clear cultural vision, strong community involvement and a commitment to access and inclusion. They must also demonstrate how they will manage funding and create a lasting legacy beyond the year itself.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Dorset Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for Regeneration, Economic Growth and Strategic Assets, said: “Dorset Town of Culture is making a real difference in our communities. It’s helping towns celebrate what makes them special, while bringing people together and supporting local artists and businesses.

“The council’s funding is part of our wider commitment to support communities, grow the local economy and improve wellbeing through access to culture and the arts. By backing Dorset Town of Culture, we aim to help towns build confidence, attract visitors and create opportunities for local artists and organisations.”

Applications, which should include a short video setting out the town’s vision, must be submitted through the Arts Development Company website: https://www.theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk/dorset-town-of-culture.