The town has launched an ambitious, community-powered campaign to showcase its radical heritage, creative strength and future focused vision.
The UK Town of Culture 2028 is a new, government-backed competition awarding £3m to one winning town for a year-long cultural programme to boost local pride and investment.
The bid, led by the Lewes Town of Culture Partnership CIC with the Town Council as the accountable body - brings together more than 50 organisations spanning arts, heritage, education, environment, business and community sectors. The proposal has also been endorsed by the University of Sussex, offering support with research, outreach and evaluation.
Rooted in Lewes's long history of democracy, dissent and cultural participation, the 2028 programme is built around the theme 'Common Ground. - Fire, Water, Words and Future,' shaped by Lewes's long history of democratic action. It also respects its internationally recognised cultural institutions such as Glyndebouyrne and Charleston and the town's distinctive heritage from Bonfire night processions to Patina's Moving On Parade.
The bid also recognises the pressures facing Lewes - rising house prices, limited paid opportunities for emerging creatives, a shrinking youth population and ageing community spaces. It sets out a programme to respond to these challenges.
If successful, Lewes will deliver a year long programme that celebrates its unique heritage while expanding opportunities for young people. The programme would strengthen grassroots cultural infrastructure through a capital grants scheme and use the landscapes of the river Ouse and South Downs as a catalyst for climate focused creative work.
Communities would be brought together, the Town Council says, through accessible cultural experiences in streets, schools, venues, green spaces and public spaces. The bid draws on public engagement, including open town meetings, a community survey, conversations with groups ands the involvement of young people.