Wandsworth has been selected as the London Borough of Culture for 2025.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan – who was born and raised in the Borough – made the announcement on Monday. It means that Wandsworth will receive £1.35m from the London Assembly to host a year-long series of creative and cultural activities in 2025.
Nine London boroughs bid for the title with Wandsworth’s theme being theme ‘Culture connects, unites, heals, nourishes and activates.’ Plans reportedly include a mass dance in the style of Strictly Come Dancing, a catwalk and a concert celebrating 50 years of local music.
Wandsworth has always been a home for the pioneering and the under-represented, the visionary and the mischievous. It’s that uncompromising, radical and rebellious spirit that positions us to deliver an outstanding year as London Borough of Culture.
Tarek Iskander, CEO of Battersea Arts Centre
Mayor Khan created the award in 2017 and previous holders have included Waltham Forest, Brent, Lewisham and Croydon. At the same time as Wandsworth was given the 2025 title, Haringey was given it for 2027. Khan the award had become a “cornerstone in the capital’s calendar… I’m excited to see Wandsworth and Haringey’s fantastic ideas come to life as we build a better London for all.”
Barnet, Merton and Greenwich were named as Cultural Impact Award winners and will receive up to £200,000 funding to deliver smaller scale creative projects.
