Michael Moore meets Dundee City of Culture bid team

Michael Moore will learn about Dundee's bid to be UK City of Culture. Picture: Ian Rutherford

The UK Government minister will learn more about the city’s bid for the honour during a visit to Dundee Contemporary Arts this afternoon.

Dundee is the only Scottish city to be shortlisted in the competition to find the 2017 City of Culture.

It is up against Hull, Leicester and Swansea Bay, with the winner due to be announced in November.

While Dundee was shortlisted, rival Scottish city Aberdeen did not make it through to the final stage of the bidding process.

City of Culture judges were said to have described Aberdeen’s artistic and cultural expertise as “limited” and said its bid lacked a “coherent vision” and a “wow factor”.

Strengths

Aberdeen Council finance convener Willie Young said last month that Dundee’s £45 million V&A museum project, which has received £18 million of Scottish Government funding, was likely to have swayed the judges.

Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild has already said it was “wonderful news” for the city that it had been shortlisted for the title of UK City of Culture.

Speaking earlier this year he said: “Our’s is a people’s bid showcasing our strengths, combined with a desire to take forward a new momentum to encourage even more exciting developments for the population of the city.

“Dundee’s ambition to be city of culture is based on enthusiastic participation in the arts across our communities.

“Winning City of Culture status would have a huge impact on Dundee and we want to enjoy those benefits for years to come.”