Dundee councillors have unanimously approved a bid for UK City of Culture status in 2017.
The possibility of seeking the European title five years later was also raised.
For now, a bid development group will be set up comprising representatives of the city council and other public and private sector bodies in the Dundee Partnership.
Creative Sector Scotland, a consultancy firm, will help to coordinate the bid at a cost of £15,000.
A ”bid champions” group may be set up, comprising well-known figures with a link to the city who are willing to give their backing.
The council announced its intention to try to become UK City of Culture earlier this month, earning vocal support from a wide range of city organisations and from neighbouring local authorities all excited by the cultural and economic benefits it would bring.
The likes of Dundee Rep, Dundee Contemporary Arts, the McManus and the forthcoming V&A design centre will be at the heart of Dundee’s offering, along with a host of community and cultural groups spread across the city.
At a meeting on Monday, Ken Guild, leader of the council’s SNP administration, said it had originally been intended to bid to become European Capital of Culture a title previously held by Glasgow and Liverpool but the next available slot would have been 2022.
He added that there had been an ”upswelling of support” for the 2017 bid instead.
Liberal Democrat councillor Fraser Macpherson said: ”I think the city has much to offer and I think we can put together an extremely strong bid.”
There was support too from Labour’s Richard McCready, who said: ”It’s really important that we do bring forward these plans and I think we should be saying we plan to bid for European City of Culture in 2022.”
Conservative Derek Scott was also supportive, saying: ”There are huge benefits to be gained, not just for Dundee but for the wider area as well.”
He said winners of the title were often used to host national events.