The UK City of Culture longlist was selected by an independent panel of advisory experts, chaired by Grange Hill, Brookside and Hollyoaks writer Sir Phil Redmond.
Sir Phil said the competition would give each city the chance to use “culture as the creative catalyst for change, raising awareness and changing perceptions”.
He added that previous winners, Derry-Londonderry, Hull, Coventry and Bradford, had all “demonstrated the quality and depth of cultural activity embedded across the UK, as well as the benefits of simply taking part.
“The competition brings people together, to talk to each other rather than at each other, sharing commonality and tolerating difference. Above all, allowing places to demonstrate their own pride in their places.”
Research by the University of Warwick and Coventry University, said that Coventry’s year as City of Culture helped to generate more than £183m for the local economy.
Last year Bradford hosted the prestigious Turner Prize exhibition as part of its programme of cultural celebrations. The show drove a 44% increase in visitors to the city’s Cartwright Hall.