Towards an International City of Culture

Further information or a hard copy can be obtained by contacting:
Lisa Moore
Arts and Heritage Administrative Co-ordinator
Southampton City Council
Civic Centre
Southampton SO14 7LP
email: Lisa.Moore@southampton.gov.uk

(The document can also be obtained by clicking the download links at the bottom of this page)

The Arts and Heritage strategic vision, entitled ‘Towards an international city of culture’ places people and culture at the heart of the city and connects existing arts and heritage initiatives.

Southampton is a thriving and growing city with a diverse and dynamic population. It is one of the key cities in the south of England when it comes to promoting culture and the arts. It has a huge range of activities already taking place and further exciting opportunities in the pipeline.

The publication highlights the importance of the arts and their contribution to a rich cultural life and also maps out a route towards Southampton becoming an international city of culture by 2026.

This will be achieved by making the most of the city’s rich arts and heritage assets. This includes its connections with the Titanic, historic Spitfire and the Old Town, which boasts some of the best preserved medieval walls in Europe. Southampton is also justifiably proud of its world-class art galleries, theatres and award-winning green open spaces.

The city has a fantastic opportunity over the next twenty years to create a vibrant cultural heart, a sense of identity and uniqueness that connects people to each other and to Southampton as a place.

We, as the council, have a real appetite to play a part; to provide leadership, build relationships, coordinate the partners and create the right culture and environment to deliver the vision. To read more about the vision and view the full publication click on the links provided below.