Our story

The final 2028 programme will be shaped by people across Shetland

We’re asking what opportunities matter the most to our communities, what people want culture to achieve and what a future with culture at its centre could look like.

Across 2028, our activity will develop through three chapters that tell our story.

• Chapter One – Inspiration Start of the year, developing the ideas and skills needed.
• Chapter Two – Play Middle of the year, bring culture and fun into the streets and spaces of Lerwick.
• Chapter Three – Launch End of the year, big celebrations and looking to the future – what’s next?

What could Town of Culture look like for us? 

Throughout the three chapters, our programme (built from the feedback in our surveys, liaison forums, partnerships and commissions) will fall into four main areas of activity.

1. Major Commissions  – Large-scale cultural projects and events.
2. Shetland Creatives – Opportunities for artists and creatives from Shetland.
3. Community & Participation – Opportunities to take part, create, learn and get involved – not just attend.
4. Young Shetland – Opportunities for young people to create, learn, work and be at the heart of the  programme.

What will winning mean?

Winning Town of Culture would bring £3 million of investment to deliver a major cultural programme in 2028. But not only that, it is our opportunity to create lasting change.

Lerwick 28 is our opportunity, but our ambition is for what 2038 might look like. A child growing up in Shetland should be able to imagine a creative future here with access to the skills, spaces, networks and confidence to make it real.

Lerwick 28 uses a moment of national attention to turn the existing cultural energy of the islands into stronger pathways, deeper participation, a more welcoming and accessible town, and new connections between Lerwick and the rest of the UK.

We want to hear from you about what activity you want to see, what this could look like and what we could achieve.

Have your say 

What’s the ambition? 

We want to use Town of Culture to create a legacy of cultural activity at the heart of Shetland’s future with ambitions to:

• Create new opportunities for people to participate in culture
• Support and develop Shetland’s artists and creative businesses
• Give young people a bigger role in creating culture
• Bring new activity into Lerwick’s streets and spaces
• Create connections between local creatives and people across the UK
• Attract new audiences and visitors
• Build skills, confidence and opportunities that continue beyond 2028

Most importantly, we want the opportunity to reflect what people in Lerwick and across Shetland actually want.

What would winning mean to you?

Take our survey