Warwick academic appointed to the UK City of Culture 2029 Expert Advisory Panel

Professor Jonothan Neelands has been appointed to the UK City of Culture 2029 Expert Advisory Panel. Convened by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and chaired by Sir Phil Redmond, the Panel will assess bids from cities and regions across the UK and advise ministers on the next UK City of Culture.

This prestigious national appointment recognises Professor Neelands’ outstanding contribution to research-informed cultural policy and major events strategy. He is the only academic on the Expert Advisory Panel, which includes distinguished leaders across a wide range of public and commercial expertise.

Commenting on his appointment Jonothan Neelands, Professor of Creative Education, University of Warwick, said: “It’s a real honour to be appointed to the UK City of Culture 2029 Expert Advisory Panel. For the longlisted cities, this is a once-in-a-generation chance to shape their future through culture—to bring people together, build pride in place, and create lasting social and economic value.

“These are all places with ambition, strong partnerships and a will to make culture central to their identities We know from UK City of Culture and Creating the Golden Thread that when culture is taken seriously, it can change how a place feels and how it thrives.

“At the University of Warwick, culture is part of everyday life—how we learn, research and work with our region. I’m looking forward to bringing that experience to the panel and helping cities turn ambition into something meaningful and lasting.”

Professor Neelands’ work has informed the DCMS Evidence Review of UK Cities of Culture, the development of Arts Council England Joint Cultural Needs Assessments, and with Sprit of 2012 the Creating the Golden Thread initiative shaping major events strategy across all four nations.

Alongside his fellow panellists, Professor Neelands helped whittle 19 applicant cities down to a recommended longlist of 9: Blackpool, Inverness-Highland, Ipswich, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Swindon, and Wrexham. In the coming months they will assess more detailed bids as they shortlist cities.

The destination chosen to be UK City of Culture 2029 will receive a confirmed cash prize of £10 million to help them deliver a show-stopping year of rich cultural activity rooted in their unique identities and drawing on local strengths and stories.

Announcing the UK City of Culture 2029 longlist, the Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “For far too long, opportunity has not been shared equally across the country. The UK City of Culture and new UK Town of Culture competitions recognise the enormous contributions made by communities all over the UK who are all part of the story of who we are as a nation.

“I look forward to seeing what the nine longlisted places have in store as they progress in the competition. I also urge any towns thinking about entering the UK Town of Culture competition to seize this opportunity and get involved. It’s a chance to show the country what makes them unique and shine a spotlight on their cultural offer, enriching the lives of local people.”

Previous UK City of Culture destinations have included: Bradford (2025), Coventry (2021), Hull (2017), and Derry-Londonderry (2013).

18 March 2026