Launch of Towns of Culture 2025 for Weymouth and Portland
The Towns of Culture 2025 programme has been launched
Weymouth and Portland have officially launched this year's Towns of Culture.
Backed by £60,000 in council funding, there are plans for a year-long programme of events, performances, and collaborations.
Organisers aim to spotlight local creativity and reshape perceptions of coastal and rural towns through culture.
Rocca Holly-Nambi, Director of Towns of Culture Project Management from B-Side, said: "Towns of Culture 2025 is about igniting creativity, fostering connections, and celebrating the unique spirit of Portland and Weymouth.
"This launch weekend is just the beginning of a year-long journey that will reveal all our towns have to offer and will bring people together through art, music, and performance.
"We invite everyone to take part and experience the power of culture to transform spaces and communities."
The 2025 programme is being launched this weekend with the inclusion of music, street performance and theatre.
The initiative, run by the Arts Development Company, runs every year, seeing a different town, village or hamlet in Dorset named as the host, with last year's winner being Bridport.
Councillor of Portland Town Council, Carralyn Parkes, and Councillor of Weymouth Town Council, Alex Fuhrmann, said: "Portland and Weymouth are rich in culture, heritage, and creativity, and Towns of Culture 2025 gives us a fantastic opportunity to reveal that to residents and visitors alike.
"This initiative is not just about performances and events; it's about strengthening our communities, supporting local artists, and making culture accessible to all.
"We look forward to seeing people of all ages come together to celebrate everything that makes our towns special."