Foreword – Justine Simons OBE, Founder of World Cities Culture Forum
I’m delighted to introduce the fifth edition of the World Cities Culture Report – our flagship publication and the most comprehensive global dataset on culture in cities. Since our first edition in 2012, with 12 pioneering cities, our network has grown to over 40 global cities representing more than 260 million people.
At the World Cities Culture Forum, we are united by a shared belief that culture is an essential ingredient in cities. We describe it as is the golden thread – connecting communities, sparking innovation, and shaping the future of urban life. As the world’s largest leadership network for culture and cities, we champion the idea that when culture is woven into every part of city life – from economic growth and tourism to health and wellbeing – it transforms both lives and places.
That collective vision was powerfully affirmed at the 2023 World Cities Culture Summit in São Paulo, where 29 cities signed the São Paulo Manifesto. It calls for culture to be recognised as a standalone UN Sustainable Development Goal.
Central to our work is the principle of generosity – the open exchange of ideas, data, and research. The more we collaborate as global peers, the more effective we will be at building thriving cities.
Data is one the most important tools we have as city leaders, and this edition of the report introduces a new comprehensive CREATIVE data framework. It has been developed in partnership with the OECD and is designed to support our cities in measuring cultural provision, participation, and impact to inform future policymaking.
Our network continues to gather momentum and since our last report in 2022, we have welcomed nine new cities: Adelaide, Beijing, Bengaluru, Boston, Chicago, Cologne, Jakarta, Kyiv, and Rio de Janeiro. Each new city bringing fresh perspectives, ideas and opportunities for collaboration.
Our Leadership Exchange Programme facilitates global collaboration at a deeper level. Generously supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, it allows us to share our best ideas and solve the pressing common issues we face, from protecting cultural spaces at risk to delivering inclusive Cultural Olympiads. It has fast-tracked policy development among 22 cities and 185 cultural leaders since 2018 and is now in its third round.
In recent years, we’ve also expanded our insights through several key publications that deepen our understanding of culture’s role in cities globally:
Creative Recovery? The Role of Cultural Policy in Shaping Post-COVID Urban Futures (2023), researched by King’s College London, analysing 270 new policy measures in global to capture how culture was mobilised to drive pandemic recovery.
African Alternatives: The Future of Creative Cities (2024), developed in partnership with the British Council and researchers Andani.Africa, which explores cultural leadership in eleven Sub-Saharan capital cities.
Nothing About Us Without Us: Youth and Culture in Global Cities Today (2024), co-created with youth contributors and launched at our 2024 World Cities Culture Summit in Dubai, examining how cities can better support young people through policy.
Creative Land Trusts: A Practical Guide (2025), published following our inaugural Creative Land Trust Summit in San Francisco with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation and Left Bank Co. It offers practical guidance for securing long-term, affordable space for artists and makers.
World Cities Culture Trends (2024, 2025), an annual overview highlighting key cultural policy developments shaping cities worldwide.
We are deeply grateful to all those who made this report possible. We thank our supporters – Bloomberg Philanthropies, the British Council, Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Fundação Itaú, and the Union of Ibero-American Capital Cities – and partners including OECD, SMU DataArts, VibeLab, Julie’s Bicycle, and Left Bank Co, whose expertise has strengthened this report and our wider work.
Most of all, we thank the cities in our network for their openness and commitment. The data and insights in this report come directly from teams working on the ground, generously sharing solutions, challenges and ideas.
In uncertain times, cities must lead with creativity, courage, and care. Culture is not just the outcome of thriving cities – it is the catalyst that connects, inspires, and helps us build a better future.
Justine Simons OBE
Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries, London
Founder, World Cities Culture Forum