How to get behind the City Of Culture bid.

Ipswich is in the running to become UK City of Culture 2029 — and the bid team needs to hear from you.

If Ipswich wins, 2029 will be a year-long celebration across the whole town — from the waterfront to the high street, from parks and neighbourhoods to theatres, schools, community centres, sports grounds and unexpected places in between.

But the programme has to be shaped by the people who live, work, study and create here. That’s where you come in.

Fill in the Community Questionnaire

The single most important thing you can do right now is fill in the Community Questionnaire. It only takes a few minutes, and it helps shape the themes and ambitions of the bid.

Tell them what you’d like to see, the stories you think should be told, and what City of Culture could mean for Ipswich.

Plus, you could win tickets to the New Wolsey Theatre! Complete the Community Questionnaire to enter the prize draw. Terms apply.

Take Part in a Workshop

Ordinary Streets, Extraordinary People is engaging with the community in person. Creative Community Consultations working with local facilitators and illustrators to create a physical picture of what our communities outside of the town centre would like form a successful City Of Culture bid. These pop ups are taking place across Ipswich Estates Gainsborough, Whitton and Chantry.

Gainsborough Library Saturday 18th @ 11am – 1pm
Whitton FC Saturday 25th July @ 11am – 1pm TBC
Chantry Family Hub & Library TBC

Round Table Discussions with local artists, independent business owner’s and grass roots organisations chaired by Artistic Director of Eastern Angles Arts Centre in the heart if Westgate.

Light Refreshments provided Friday 22nd July 11am – pm @ Eastern Angles Arts Centre

Are you a creative, artist or organisation?

There’s a separate Creative Community Questionnaire for artists, makers, organisations, venues, freelancers and educators. Share your ambitions, who you’d like to work with, and what would help Ipswich’s creative sector thrive.

Got an idea? Share it

Have you got an idea for a brilliant event, a community celebration, a heritage project, a performance, a public artwork or a school activity? Large or small, fully formed or just a spark — if you think Ipswich needs it, the bid team wants to hear it.

Back the bid

Add your name to the thousands who have already shown their support. Back the bid and help spread the word — use #BackTheBid on social media and tell people why Ipswich has a story the whole country should hear.

Businesses, organisations and partners

Employers, cultural venues, education and sports partners, hospitality, voluntary groups and civic organisations all have a role to play. You can help by sharing ideas, hosting conversations, promoting the questionnaires, offering space, connecting with communities, or simply spreading the word.

Educators

Schools can get a free Schools Pack and Peer Facilitation Toolkit — practical resources designed to spark discussion and put young people’s ideas at the heart of the bid.

Visit www.ipswich.love/coc to find out more and get involved.

Who wrote this about Ipswich?

James Kindred

James lives in Ipswich and has been a graphic designer and brand founder for the last 25 years. He specialises in branding, startups, guerilla marketing and effectively frustrating authority figures to deliver results. James is co-founder of Ipswich.love, co-chair of the Suffolk Autism Strategy board and a board advisor to R;ipple, a suicide prevention charity.