The chair of the project celebrating Ipswich's most famous son Thomas Wolsey has backed a push to put the town forward for City of Culture status.
Terry Hunt, chair of the Thomas Wolsey 550 project, said that it would provide "a boost" to Suffolk's county town.
His words came after Ipswich MP Jack Abbott revealed he was hoping the town would bid for the status in 2029.
The City of Culture scheme is designed to recognise and celebrate the culture of communities and contribute to regeneration and cultural participation through a year-long programme. Applicants do not necessarily have to be cities.
As well as having a thriving grass roots music scene that has produced talents such as Ed Sheeran, Ipswich is home to the One Big Multicultural Festival, events on the Cornhill and the Subversiv Collective's murals.
The Wolsey 550 project celebrated the 550th anniversary of the birth of Cardinal Wolsey with a series of parades and educational programmes.
Mr Hunt said: “Ipswich has a fantastic, thriving and high-quality arts and cultural offering, from high-profile, nationally-funded organisations to the much smaller but nevertheless very important groups.
"Being recognised as the City of Culture would grow awareness of our town’s status as an important artistic and cultural centre.
"We have seen the wide-ranging benefits which places like Hull, Coventry and now Bradford have enjoyed from having the status of City of Culture.
"It would provide the same boost for Ipswich. I believe a bid to become City of Culture would attract very broad support across the town.”
Announcing the plans to bid for City of Culture status, Mr Abbott said: "Ipswich has an incredible arts and culture scene.
"Whether it is dance, theatre, grassroots music or even our football club, there is so much to be proud of.
"We have something special simmering away, and my job as an MP is to not only support this industry but to do everything I can to help take it to another level."
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