Frome has taken the first step towards becoming the UK’s Town of Culture, with Frome Town Council submitting an expression of interest to the national competition.
The Town of Culture programme celebrates towns where culture is part of everyday life, and where creativity can play a role in strengthening communities, improving wellbeing and supporting local economies. Following a well-attended stakeholder meeting Frome’s bid builds on the town’s strong cultural foundations, from its nationally recognised venues and organisations to its thriving network of festivals, markets and community-led activity such as the Carnival and the Children’s Festival.
If successful, the bid could bring up to £3 million of investment to the town, supporting an ambitious programme of cultural activity and a long-term legacy focused on cultural opportunities for local people.
If Frome is shortlisted, the town will receive £60,000 to develop a full application, shaped in partnership with local people, organisations and businesses, and with a focus on a citizens’ assembly with young people. Residents are also being invited to get involved and share their ideas and their enthusiasm for what our Town of Culture programme could include.
Frome Town Council is using its new digital engagement platform, My Frome, to gather views and ensure the programme reflects the priorities and creativity of the community.
Councillor Tracey Ashford said: “Frome has always been a town that does things differently. This bid is an opportunity to build on the fabulous cultural opportunities that we already have, and to truly celebrate it, while creating new opportunities for the future, particularly for our young people. We’d really encourage everyone to get involved as we ask what culture in Frome means to you and both what you would like to see from and how you could contribute to, our Town of Culture programme”
Emma Rice, artistic director of the Emma Rice Company, based at The Lucky Chance, said “Culture is where creativity meets community, and nowhere embodies that quite like Frome – famous across the country for its bold artistic spirit and the way people come together to make things happen. It’s why Emma Rice Company chose to make the town our home, and why we wholeheartedly support this bid – Frome deserves to be recognised for the crucible of creativity it already is and the cultural powerhouse it could become!”
Two finalist towns will each receive £250,000, with one town awarded £3 million to deliver its programme.
