In London we're lucky to have so many cultural activities and experiences right on our doorstep, with major institutions and local initiatives all right here in the city. Since 2017, we've also had an official London Borough of Culture, with an initiative from the Mayor of London's office that chooses a new borough every two years to be at the forefront of culture in the capital. It's just been announced that Wandsworth will hold the title from 2025. Croydon is the current holder of the accolade.
Cultural highlights in the borough include Battersea Arts Centre and postgraduate institution the Royal College of Art. Receiving the title means that the borough also receives £1.35 million of funding to support arts, music, and cultural events in the area. Wandsworth already has some big plans for spending the funds, with designs to lay on a major Strictly-style dance event and a concert to celebrate local music spanning the past 50 years.
The North London borough of Haringey was also named as the 2027 successor and will receive the same amount of funding. Haringey's plans include a big family festival to celebrate working class history in the borough. The boroughs of Barnet, Merton, and Greenwich also each received Cultural Impact Awards worth £200,000. Whether you live in the south or north of London, these awards mean you can expect lots more exciting cultural events near you over the next few years.
