Wimborne Town of Culture 2026

29/05/2026

🎶 Call Out: Folk Music Commission – Wimborne Unsung Heroes 🎶

We're looking for a folk musician, ensemble or interdisciplinary music-maker to create original music inspired by the stories, memories and communities of Wimborne.

✨ Commission fee: £3,500
📅 Deadline to apply: Midnight, Monday 29 June

The commission forms part of HOME, a landmark programme for Wimborne Town of Culture 2026 exploring belonging, heritage and community through creativity.

Visit our website to find out more and apply 👇
🔗www.wimborne2026.com/news/home-folk-music-commission

HOME is supported using public funding from Arts Council England.

Partners:
Arts Development Company Dorset Council Wimborne Minster Town Council Arts Council England Volunteer Centre Dorset

Headline sponsors:
Wimborne Minster BID Canford School

27/05/2026

We’re excited to announce recruitment for two freelance roles as part of HOME - a major new community arts programme for Dorset Town of Culture 2026.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England, HOME will bring together theatre, music, visual art and film to explore ideas of belonging, identity and place through workshops, performances, screenings and community activity across Wimborne and surrounding areas.

We are currently recruiting for:
✨ Project Manager
✨ Project Coordinator

Both roles will support the delivery of this ambitious programme throughout 2026, working closely with artists, participants, community groups and project partners.

📅 Application deadline: 17 June 2026

If you’re passionate about inclusive, community-led creative work and want to be part of an exciting cultural programme, we’d love to hear from you.

Read more and download the full job descriptions on our website 👇
https://www.wimborne2026.com/news/home-project-manager-project-coordinator

26/05/2026

We had an incredible response to our Culture Catalyst Micro-Commissions call out - and 17 commissions have now been awarded across Wimborne and the surrounding area.

From giant bee puppets and pop-up music stages to inclusive wellbeing walks, community art, sensory dance, local heritage, Pride celebrations and creative workshops, these projects will bring fresh cultural experiences to Wimborne throughout 2026.

The Culture Catalyst Micro-Commissions are all about supporting creative ideas that spark connection, curiosity and community - and we’ve been blown away by the imagination, care and ambition behind the applications we received.

Over the coming weeks we’ll be shining a spotlight on each commissioned project and the brilliant people behind them, so keep an eye out to discover what’s coming to Wimborne.

Thank you to everyone who applied and shared their ideas with us - we can’t wait to see these projects come to life.



Parnters:
Arts Development Company, Dorset Council, Wimborne Minster Town Council
Headline sponsors: Wimborne Minster BID and Canford School.

Wimborne is Dorset Town of Culture 2026, shining a spotlight on arts, culture, sports, recreation and leisure in Wimborne - and helps fuel more of it under the banner ‘The Culture Catalyst’ with a series of bold new projects.

14/05/2026

Big news for Wimborne Town of Culture 2026 🎉

We’re delighted to announce that HOME - a new community arts programme for Wimborne - has been awarded funding through an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant.

The project will bring together theatre, visual art, music and film across Wimborne, created with local residents and artists to explore what “home” means today.

The programme will unfold through four interconnected creative strands led by an incredible group of partners - including theatre and performance with Wimborne Community Theatre and Millstream Theatre; visual arts and storytelling with Emerald Ant; new music commissions with Wimborne Folk Festival; and a creative documentary from The Paper Cinema. The project will also be supported by Wildworks, helping develop ambitious new approaches to community co-creation.

Read the full story on our website 👇
🔗https://www.wimborne2026.com/news/home-flagship-project

HOME is a Wimborne Town of Culture 2026 flagship project supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Dorset Town of Culture is an initiative by Arts Development Company, with funding from Dorset Council. Wimborne 2026 is supported by matched funding from Wimborne Minster Town Council, with headline sponsors Wimborne Minster BID and Canford School.

14/05/2026

Big news for Wimborne Town of Culture 2026 🎉

We’re delighted to announce that HOME - a new community arts programme for Wimborne - has been awarded funding through an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant.

The project will bring together theatre, visual art, music and film across Wimborne, created with local residents and artists to explore what “home” means today.

The programme will unfold through four interconnected creative strands led by an incredible group of partners - including theatre and performance with Wimborne Community Theatre and Millstream Theatre; visual arts and storytelling with Emerald Ant; new music commissions with Wimborne Folk Festival; and a creative documentary from The Paper Cinema. The project will also be supported by Wildworks, helping develop ambitious new approaches to community co-creation.

Read the full story on our website 👇
🔗https://www.wimborne2026.com/news/home-flagship-project

11/05/2026

📚✨ Celebrate the Wimborne Literary Festival with a fun free town trail!

Visit 8 local businesses, spot the book posters in their windows, and record which book you find at each location. Once you’ve completed all 8, head to the Museum of East Dorset shop to claim your prize 🎉

Happy hunting! 📖🔍

Wimborne Minster Town Council Wimborne Minster BID

To celebrate the brilliant Wimborne Literary Festival the Wimborne Minster BID has created a trail.

Visit the 8 businesses below and find a poster in each window, record which book is found where and when you have all 8 go to the Museum of East Dorset shop to claim your prize.

Instructions and the 8 posters to look for can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/PWtrails

The Literary Festival Trail is one of many trails created for the Wimborne Town of Culture 2026

Wimborne Pig – West Borough
Lock Stock and Fade - West Street
Gullivers Bookshop – High Street
Wimborne Psychology – West Street
Wimborne Chiropody – High Street
Minster Greens – High Street
Minster Press – Mill Lane
Topogigio – Mill Lane

Wimborne Minster Town Council

06/05/2026

🎤 Wimborne’s Got Talent 2026 is calling...

As part of this year’s Wimborne Folk Festival, Wimborne Town of Culture 2026 is inviting local performers to step into the spotlight and be part of something special.

From musicians and dancers to comedians, spoken word artists and more - we’re looking for a wide range of acts to showcase the incredible talent across our town.

📍 Willow Walk Stage
🗓 Sunday 14 June
⏰ 11am–5:30pm

The day will feature two heats and a live grand final, with performers taking to the stage in front of a panel of judges.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or someone who’s never taken the stage before, this is your chance to get involved and be part of the festival.

👉 Apply now: https://www.wimborne2026.com/news/wimbornes-got-talent
⏳ Deadline: Thursday 14 May

Know someone who should enter? Tag them below 👇

24/04/2026

And just like that, UPLIFT 2026 has come to a close! 🎸✨

From handmade puppets to shop-window galleries to a bustling music stage in the Square and a high-energy Sports Festival, Wimborne has been buzzing with the talent of our young people.

We set out to give the next generation a stage—curated in partnership with local schools and the Town Council’s Youth Council—and wow, did they take it!

💬 "It was brilliant to see the town bustling with so many kids enjoying themselves in the sunshine."

A massive thank you to every venue, artist, volunteer, and performer who made this weekend unforgettable.

Check out more photos and see the complete "Thank You" list on our website here:

Gary Mason 24/04/2026 Gary Mason 24/04/2026 And just like that, UPLIFT 6-19th April 2026 has come to a close! Read More Gabby Hyman 16/04/2026 Gabby Hyman 16/04/2026 Wimborne to hold first-ever Festival of Sport on Sunday 19 April Read More Gabby Hyman 03/04/2026 Gabby Hyman 03/04/2026 Day of Dance....

18/04/2026

Got an idea?
We’ve got funding.

£50–£750 to make something happen in Wimborne.

Apply for a micro-commission as part of Wimborne Town of Culture 2026.

👉 https://www.wimborne2026.com/micro

⏰Deadline Monday

Wimborne 2026 Partners:
Wimborne Minster Town Council Arts Development Company Dorset Council Volunteer Centre Dorset
Wimborne Minster BID Canford School

16/04/2026

Looking for something to do this Sunday?

Head to Willow Walk for a FREE day of sport and activity - try new things, meet local clubs and get involved.

Have a go on the climbing wall, try aerial skills on a hoop rig, and many more hands-on activities throughout the day.

📅 Sunday 19 April | 10am–4pm
📍 Willow Walk, Wimborne

No booking - just turn up.

Find out more:
🔗https://www.wimborne2026.com/news/festival-of-sports

Part of Wimborne Town of Culture 2026

Partners and supporters:
Wimborne Minster Town Council Arts Development Company Dorset Council Volunteer Centre Dorset
Wimborne Minster BID
Canford School Wimborne Rotary Club