More support for Kirkcaldy’s bid for UK Town of Culture 2028 title
Kirkcaldy’s bid to be named UK Town of Culture 2028 has won more backing ahead of its latest event to get people involved.
Melanie Ward, MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, has expressed her support for the campaign which was launched last week by the Lang Toun Partners.
The competition - the first ever - was launched in January with the UK Government announcing that the winner would scoop investment of £3million to fund local visions for cultural investment,, with £250,000 for two runners up , plus £60,000 to each shortlisted town to help develop a cultural vision for the town.
The group behind the bid - which includes Greener Kirkcaldy, Adam Smith Global Foundation, Love Oor Lang Toun, The Kings Theatre, Linton Lane Centre, and Every One Every Day Project among others - has until March 31 to submit an expression of interest to bid for the competition.
It has the support of Fife Council, and last week, Ms Ward met Culture Minister, Ian Murray MP, to make the case for Kirkcaldy’s bid. She also met with members from the partnership to offer her her support.
Ms Ward said: “Kirkcaldy offers so much culturally but it is like a well-kept secret to too many outside the Lang Toun.
“From Lang Toun Fest to Dysart Silver Colliery band, KAOS and our arts spaces like the King’s and the Adam Smith Heritage Centre to fantastic organisations like Stellar Quines, Greener Kirkcaldy and K107FM, we have a lot going on.
“This town has given much to the world in the past alongside what we offer today and will do in the future. It’s time that we shouted louder and so I'm delighted to support the bid to cement Kirkcaldy's position on the cultural map and make the Lang Toun the UK's Town of Culture for 2028."
A key part of the initial submission is to articulate the story of the town – reflecting its past, present and future, and setting out a vision for the years ahead.
A paper making workshop was held at the weekend with artist Gail Cadogan to capture the past, present and future stories of Kirkcaldy.
On Wednesday, March 11, artist Vanessa Gibson will be at Greener Kirkcaldy from 6:00pm to 8:00pm inviting people to use drawing, collage and writing to collaborate on creating the pages of a community artist’s book responding to the themes.