Portsmouth’s campaign to be named City of Culture 2029 has gained further momentum with the support of local arts collective Seekers Create, whose founders say the bid can amplify community voices and open up new opportunities for young people across the city.
Community-first approach to culture
Seekers Create — led by founders and directors Clair Martin and Steve Baker — focuses on creativity as a practical tool for connection. Their work spans murals, pop-up activities and community projects that encourage residents of all ages to share ideas, tell their stories and help shape the city’s future. The pair believe Portsmouth’s creative strengths are most visible in everyday settings and neighbourhood initiatives, not only on formal stages.
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Backers of the bid argue that a designated year of culture would help uncover and develop local talent, strengthen civic pride and equip younger residents with new platforms to participate in city life. Seekers Create say they support the bid because it can empower people to play a bigger role in decisions about place-making and public space.
What Seekers Create is doing
The organisation uses simple, accessible formats to bring people together. Their founders also have an eye on an identity that is distinctively Portsmouth, expressing an ambition to position the city as the UK’s unofficial “Doodle Capital” and signalling plans for a city-wide Doodle Fest as part of that vision.
| Activity | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Murals | Invites public contributions and showcases local stories in shared spaces |
| Pop-up activities | Lowers barriers to taking part, meeting people where they are |
| Community projects | Builds connections across ages and backgrounds; nurtures emerging talent |
Why the bid matters locally
While the national City of Culture designation is competitive and high-profile, much of its value is realised on the ground. Advocates in Portsmouth emphasise that the process of preparing a bid can galvanise collaboration between residents, schools, artists, community groups and local venues. Seekers Create’s backing underscores an emphasis on inclusive participation, particularly for young people, and on creating chances to learn new skills through hands-on projects in public spaces.
The group’s approach is rooted in the idea that culture is made daily, in streets and community halls, as much as in theatres and galleries. By championing locally led activity, they suggest the bid can become a vehicle for neighbourhood pride and practical improvements that endure beyond a single year.
How residents can get involved
- Look out for pop-up creative sessions and mural projects hosted in neighbourhoods across the city.
- Share stories, ideas or artwork through community-led activities that seek public input.
- Encourage young people to participate in skills-building and collaborative projects that showcase local talent.
For Seekers Create, backing the bid is a way to support an ongoing, citizen-led conversation about what kind of city Portsmouth wants to be — and to ensure that the city’s creative energy is visible in every ward. Their message aligns with the broader goals of the campaign: that culture is not only about large events, but also about strengthening connections and giving residents tangible ways to help steer the future of their place.
As the 2029 bid develops, the group’s emphasis on inclusivity, youth opportunity and everyday creativity sets a clear marker for the kind of programme supporters hope to see. Whether through a new mural, a street-side doodle session or a neighbourhood project, the thrust of their support is simple: empower people to take part, and Portsmouth’s culture will speak for itself.
