PRESS

Leeds 2023 announces the appointment of Abigail Scott Paul as director of external relations

Abigail Scott Paul announced as our first director of external relations and will take a lead on our communications and partnerships activities

Poet Laureate Simon Armitage announces ambitious plans for National Poetry Centre in Leeds

A major partnership between Leeds and the Poet Laureate will bring lasting benefit to the people of the city region and poetry lovers across the world

Culture, sports and the arts all represented as Leeds 2023 announces its board of trustees

Leeds 2023 has unveiled its board of trustees, bringing together a wealth of expertise from across the arts, academia, business, marketing, popular culture and sport.

Executive Director appointed for Leeds 2023

Mark Hollander, former Executive Director for Phoenix Dance will be Leeds 2023's new Executive Director.

More than a million people saw Yorkshire’s first ever sculpture festival

Visitor figures have revealed that more than a million people saw Yorkshire’s first ever sculpture festival which ran for 100 days this summer.

New creative director returns to Yorkshire to kickstart the next phase of Leeds 2023

Ground-breaking and highly respected theatre director Kully Thiarai will return to Leeds to oversee a major cultural investment programme culminating in a spectacular one year cultural festival for the city in 2023

International artists set to Transform Leeds

A thrilling programme of international artists are arriving in to take over spaces across the city during a captivating festival of theatre, dance and performance.

International plaudits as Leeds 2023 takes prestigious cultural title

Leeds 2023 last night scooped the prestigious EUROCITIES prize for cooperation after wowing the judges with a pledge to harness culture and creativity to transform the city’s economy.

Ruth Pitt to chair new Leeds 2023 Trust

Media executive and former journalist Ruth Pitt will head up the Leeds 2023 Trust that will deliver our landmark cultural celebration in 2023.

Josh Warrington to join Leeds International Film Festival for knockout opening night

Leeds Warrior Josh Warrington is set for a knockout big screen debut in his home town when his remarkable journey takes centre stage at the launch of this year’s spectacular Leeds International Film Festival.

New £100,000 fund launched to help transform Leeds waterfront

A new fund to help transform the waterfront of the city centre with culture being placed at the heart of its future has been launched.

Leeds takes centre stage at London Design Biennale 2018

Leeds has been chosen as one of only three UK cities to take part in the second London Design Biennale. with Yorkshire fashion designer, Matty Bovan curating installation inspired by Yorkshire landmark.

Leeds 2023 is backing the light fantastic

The city’s new international cultural festival is throwing its weight behind one of Leeds’ most spectacular annual arts events.

Powerful Exhibition Celebrating Northern Identity Turned into Book

A popular exhibition exploring the social and cultural issues around being in the north of England has been turned into an exciting book.

Leeds Welcomes New Art Installation on the South Bank

The South Bank regeneration programme has received another boost with the addition of a vibrant art installation by acclaimed artist, Morag Myerscough.

Leeds Curriculum launched for primary schools

The top stories about Leeds all children should know before they leave primary school - Leeds Museums and Galleries, together with the Local Cultural Education Partnership, have launched the Leeds Curriculum, a new one-stop resource for primary school teachers across the region.

Press Statement: Continued negotiations with DCMS

Joint press statement from the five bidding cities on continued negotiations with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport following the cancellation of the European Capital of Culture competition for UK cities.

Northern Cities secure £1m project from Discover England Fund

Northern cities including Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Hull and Newcastle have joined forces to provide two new 'collections' which will go on sale to international audiences later this year.

Leeds 2023 team to reveal its Capital of Culture bid legacy at public event

Supporters of the Leeds 2023 European Capital of Culture bid are invited to an open event to hear how the plans outlined in the city’s bid book document will be moved forward

Press Statement: UK bidding cities respond to European Commission announcement

Following last week's announcement by the European Commission regarding the UK Competition for the title of European Capital of Culture, the five UK cities have released a joint statement.

Press Statement: European Commission

Following a letter from the European Commission to the Department for Culture Media and Sport regarding the UK competition for the title of European Capital of Culture will go ahead

MOBO Awards reveal presenters and star-studded line-up

Superstar presenters Maya Jama and Marvin Humes are confirmed to host the 2017 MOBO Awards at First Direct Arena in Leeds on 29 November.

Young talent backs #4Sparks in Leeds City Region

Leeds City Region launches an exciting campaign called #4Sparks to attract the relocation of Channel Four.

Leeds 2023 invites the city to celebrate the bid’s big send off

Leeds is to mark the official submission of its 2023 European Capital of Culture bid by throwing a day-long party extravaganza to which all the city’s residents are invited.

Weaving Us Together: Leeds 2023 Unveils European Capital of Culture Bid

The team behind Leeds’ bid to be European Capital of Culture 2023 has unveiled its exciting plans for a year-long programme to create a cultural celebration across all 33 wards in Leeds in 2023.

Leeds Art Gallery will reopen to the public on 13 October 2017

Leeds Art Gallery is pleased to announce that it will reopen its galleries to the public on 13 October 2017, after a period of closure to undergo essential repairs to the original roof and the historic Victorian building.

MOBO Awards return to Leeds for 22nd Awards this November

The MOBO Awards is returning to Leeds for its 22nd annual celebration of the best in urban music. The prestigious awards show will take place on Wednesday 29 November at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.

Europe, we are waiting! #MakeLeeds2023 pledges hit target

People from Leeds and beyond have given a major boost to Leeds’ 2023 European Capital of Culture bid after helping organisers reach a major milestone.

#MakeLeeds2023 initiative launched

The #MakeLeeds2023 campaign – launched to mark the 100 day countdown to the city’s bid submission - is asking residents, businesses and communities in Leeds to back the bid by making an online pledge to actively spread the word.

Leeds Named as 5th In Lonely Planet’s Top 10 European Destinations

Lonely Planet has named Leeds as one of Europe’s top destinations for international travellers this summer.

Global Businesses Back Leeds 2023 Bid for European Capital of Culture

Three more high profile businesses have lent their support and financial backing to the city’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023.

Stars Come Out to Back Leeds’ 2023 Bid

Big name stars from Leeds have joined the growing call to see their home city named European Capital of Culture 2023.

Momentum Builds for City’s 2023 Bid as New Sponsors Announced

A trio of new high-profile sponsors have thrown their weight behind Leeds’s ambitious bid to land the prestigious title of European Capital of Culture 2023.

Business Community Invited to Back the Bid for 2023

Leading local businesses will come together later this week to hear how they can unite behind Leeds’s once-in-a-generation bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2023.

Bringing Leeds Together for Giant Step Towards 2023 Title

The exciting campaign to get the whole of Leeds involved in the city’s ambitious bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2023 is officially underway today.

Press Statement: DCMS Launch Competition for European Capital of Culture

Following the Department of Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) announcement that the UK competition for the title of European Capital of Culture will go ahead

Leeds Education Sector Backs Bid for European Capital of Culture

The Leeds education sector has come together for the first time to lend its financial backing to the city’s bid to become European Capital of Culture 2023.

Leeds Culture Sector Shows Support for Capital of Culture as New Brand Identity is Revealed

On 29th November at 11am more than 50 organisations from across culture, arts and education in Leeds will show their support for the city’s bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2023.

Press Statement: EU Referendum Result

Following today’s announcement regarding the result of the EU Referendum Leeds 2023

Leeds Kicks off Bid for European Capital of Culture Title

Leeds City Council announces the cultural heavyweights and community voices heading up the steering panel to lead the bid.