NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

LEEDS 2023 welcomes West Yorkshire’s first elected Mayor

LEEDS 2023 Creative Director and CEO Kully Thiarai – welcomes West Yorkshire’s first elected Mayor Tracy Brabin

Job Opportunity: Producer

We're looking for a Producer to develop, deliver, and present multiple projects and activities within the artistic programme for Leeds 2023.

Opportunity: Sites Options Appraisal

We are looking to commission a piece of work that will inform our understanding of the many opportunities we have in relation to sites for major events and enable us to identify all potential locations for events that require large gatherings of 20,000+ people.

Building (a digital) Leeds 2023: a unique opportunity to be bold and inventive

On our journey towards 2023, we are committed to sharing the learning across all our strands of work. Find out more about how are working to embed digital across our organisation.

Opportunity: Carbon Neutral Year of Culture

We are looking for a piece of work to be carried out that will guide and inform our approach to designing the programme and embedding sustainability across all our work, rather than being an afterthought.

History reminds us that commitment to culture is a sound investment

West Yorkshire has the opportunity to accelerate its recovery through culture: candidates standing to be West Yorkshire’s first Mayor should seize the opportunity, writes our Director of External Relations Abigail Scott Paul.

Leeds Digital Festival: help build an online world

Take a look at the 3 fantastic events we've presented, in partnership with Leeds Digital Festival and Global Leeds, as part of this year's stunning programme.

Why everyday culture matters so much

Our chair, Ruth Pitt, spoke to the Yorkshire Evening Post as they begin their countdown to the Year of Culture

Go sing your song

Our chair, Ruth Pitt, reflects on projects that put music at the heart of recovery

Kathryn Welford joins the team as Children and Young People’s Partnership Manager

We’ve formed a partnership with Leeds Cultural Education Partnership to ensure that children and young people are at the heart of our landmark year of culture.

Yinka Shonibare sculpture for Leeds commissioned by the David Oluwale Memorial Association

A new sculpture from international artist Yinka Shonibare CBE RA, has been commissioned by the David Oluwale Memorial Association [DOMA] to honour the life of the British Nigerian and Leeds resident.

Creating a Green Year of Culture

Climate change is a clear and present existential danger for all of us. Dealing with it, both artistically and operationally, must be a given for Leeds 2023 as we seek to find ways of achieving mass impact in a responsible way.

Possible All Along

Disabled artists in Leeds are claiming space in the city’s cultural landscape with an online exhibition. The exhibition, called Possible All Along, was launched on International Day of Disabled People, 3 Dec 2020.

Past Diversity and Present Riches

A blog for Leeds 2023 written by Joe Williams and Vanessa Mudd of Heritage Corner, who deliver the Leeds Black History Walk.

The Grief Series: The Leeds City Ofrenda

Supported by Leeds 2023, The Grief Series have embarked on a 5 week Research and Development programme for their project All That Lives - a 9 day celebration of life and death set to take place in Leeds City Centre in 2023.

Taneesha Ahmed joins the team as Producer for Community, Collaborations and Partnerships

Leeds 2023 are delighted to announce that Taneesha Ahmed, another talented Leeds-based producer, will be joining our team to take up the post of Producer for Community, Collaborations and Partnerships.

Creative consortium led by Kully Thiarai, Creative Director and Chief Executive of Leeds 2023 has been shortlisted for Festival UK* 2022

A new consortium of collaborators lead by Leeds 2023 has been shortlisted for Festival UK* 2022.

Here for Leeds: a message of solidarity & hope

On the eve of a new national lockdown across England, the performing arts sector across Leeds has come together and issued a joint statement of solidarity and hope for the people of Leeds

Leeds-based producer Emma Beverley appointed new Executive Producer for Leeds 2023

Leeds Culture Trust’s plan for a landmark year of culture in 2023 has taken a big step forward with the appointment of Emma Beverley as Executive Producer.

The work to ensure Leeds 2023 is accessible and inclusive has begun

“Access to the arts comes with a huge physical and financial price tag, so it becomes a luxury we just can’t afford. Until society makes us a priority we will always have to fight for those rare moments of joy.” Leanna Benjamin

Let’s work together to create a cultural and economic powerhouse

"Let's work together to create a cultural and economic powerhouse that can turbo-charge our recovery" by Jonathan Maud, Chairman and Managing Director Rushbond Group

Why Culture and Sport Matters

After speaking at this week's Great Northern Conference, our chair Ruth Pitt writes about how culture assists the levelling up agenda.

Cultural Recovery Fund supports almost 30 of Leeds’ cultural organisations

Nearly 30 cultural organisations across Leeds are among the first recipients of emergency funding from the Government's Cultural Recovery Fund.

All creatures great and small

Can the stories of our past and heritage teach us anything useful and hopeful about our future? Our Director of External Relations, Abigail Scott Paul reflects on life growing up on a Yorkshire farm and how storytelling can help us understand our past and create our future.

The battle lines are drawn

We have always known that power resides in the hands of the few and the distribution of financial resources is unequal. Kully writes on how we can radically reimagine our collective futures.

Shanaz Gulzar appointed as Chair for Bradford 2025

Kully Thiarai comments on the appointment of Shanaz Gulzar as the new Chair of Bradford 2025.

Better together: Leeds and Bradford come together to support new producing talent

Meet our new producers on ‘Get it Done’ - an initiative that aims to develop a network of skilled producers for the Leeds City Region.

Tender opportunity: A digital roadmap for 2023 

As we continue to build and design our organisation, we are looking to work with an expert to help guide and inform our approach to embedding digital across all our work.

Leeds 2023 invests in artists’ projects, as landmark year of culture begins to take shape

Work is underway for Leeds’ landmark year of culture with at least six projects already preparing for Leeds 2023.

Little Live Stories for Leeds

It goes without saying that children have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic. That's why a consortia of Leeds theatre makers decided to join forces to bring theatre back to children in the city.

Exciting news for Leeds Playhouse

New appointments at the Leeds Playhouse

Why Leeds United’s Promotion is a Culture Coup

"Football at its best is culture at its best, storytelling that beats almost anything you’ll see on stage or screen." Our Chair, Ruth Pitt on Leeds United's promotion.

In response to the Government’s £1.57bn package of support for the arts and culture sector

Kully Thiarai makes a statement on the Government's £1.57bn package of support for the arts and culture sector.

All roads lead to East Leeds

Through the lens of its resident cultural community, the East Leeds Project, have plans to put East Leeds firmly on the map.

Creativity can lead our region to recovery  

Our Creative Director Kully Thiarai, writes about how we can harness the power of creativity and use our landmark year of culture to help the region recover from COVID-19.

The Performance Ensemble reveals a tiny story every day in June

"We are not over the hill, we are on top of it." Every day in June The Performance Ensemble is revealing short stories and anecdotes from older artists as part of their Bus Pass project.

Message of solidarity from Leeds’ Black and Brown female cultural leaders

"We are with you in solidarity, and with an open heart" - a message of solidarity from Leeds' Black and Brown female cultural leaders

An open letter to the Culture Secretary from black, asian & ethnically diverse theatre artistic directors and cultural leaders

Our creative director, Kully Thiarai, signs an open letter to the Culture Secretary on the importance of including Black, Asian and ethnically diverse leaders in discussions about the post Covid 19 recovery of our sector.

The Good Book by Slung Low and Leeds People’s Theatre

Launched today this is the first public project of Leeds People’s Theatre, an idea developed by Holbeck-based theatre company Slung Low with support from Leeds 2023

Our cultural trip to Rijeka, February 2020

Our chair, Ruth and Kully visited Rijeka who are hosting European Capital of Culture this year, they came back with a mass of information to help us plan our own approach to Leeds 2023.

Why we need culture now more than ever

Our Chair, Ruth Pitt writes about how culture can help us to triumph over adversity more effectively than almost anything else.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Leeds 2023 Statement

Ruth Pitt Chair of Trustees Leeds 2023 and Kully Thiarai Creative Director Leeds 2023 have issued a joint statement:

Book commemorating first generation Jamaicans of Leeds launched

The Eulogy Project, celebrating the lives and journeys of first generation Jamaicans who settled in Leeds in the 1940s to 60s, and are no longer with us.

Working towards an east Leeds pavilion

The team behind East Leeds Project update us on the next phase of their journey towards building a pavilion which will be the very first maker space in east Leeds.

Help put the art in the Art Hostel

East Street Arts have found a new home for their Art Hostel! Support them in transforming the building into a truly unique, affordable space for Leeds visitors and residents to enjoy.

All That Lives: Ellie Harrison reflects on collaboration between continents

What happens when a team of artists from Mexico come to work in Leeds? The Grief Series are on their first step on the journey to create a Day of the Dead Celebration for the people of Leeds.

“The future is uncertain but still full of possibility”

Amy Letman reflects on Transform’s four year journey developing as an international festival for Leeds.

THEATRE. DANCE. PARTIES. ADVENTURE. Transform 19 has been announced

From 26 April – 4 May artists’ work will light up Leeds’ iconic venues, hidden spaces, empty warehouses and city streets.

Sounding good together with Music:Leeds

Music:Leeds has launched. The new regional, not-for-profit development body will provide a new level of support for those invested in Leeds music scene.

Gearing up for 2023, an update from our Chair, Ruth Pitt

"The nights may still be long but there’s a spring in our step" - Our Chair, Ruth Pitt looks at what's in store for 2019.

Fond farewell as Leeds 2023 begins exciting new chapter

Sharon Watson, outgoing Chair of Leeds 2023 looks back at what has been three incredible years

We are looking for trustees to join our board!

Could you help Leeds 2023 deliver a year of culture, transforming how Leeds is perceived across the world and engaging every community in the city? We are now seeking trustees to join our board!

“Playfully Disruptive” It’s Compass Festival 2018!

As the fourth Compass Festival prepares to open, we spoke to Co-Director Annie Lloyd about what you can expect around Leeds this November.

Getting ready for 2023

Leeds 2023 will draw international visitors to the city, many of them for the first time and it is important that the city is ready for them. Leeds 2023 along with Leeds Business Improvement District and Visit Leeds worked together to understand visitors and non-visitors' current perceptions of our city.

Leeds Culture Trust seeks new Chair to deliver on ambitious plans

Leeds Culture Trust has been set up to create a five-year, £35 million cultural investment programme to culminate in our year of celebration in 2023. We are now seeking an exceptional, visionary and dynamic Chair, who will help us drive this ambition forward.

Dear Yorkshire, keep that spark alive

Sharon Watson, Chair of the Leeds 2023 Independent Steering Group writes about the importance and value of culture and her passion and pleasure to play a part in Leeds’s 2023 European Capital of Culture bid.

The East Leeds Project

What's life like in the east of the city? This month we caught up with Kerry Harker, Founder and Director of the East Leeds Project about opening up a creative conversation to look at the future of East Leeds.

‘Bus Pass’ a brand new theatre production created by older people

This month we hear from to Alan Lyddiard, Director of The Performance Ensemble and the founder of ‘Bus Pass’- a large-scale performance project involving thousands of people in Leeds over the age of 60.

Amy Letman reveals exciting plans for Transform 19

On Thursday 10 May at Duke Studios, Transform hosted a teaser event for their next festival a year from now, Transform 19. We spoke to Creative Director, Amy Letman about what to expect next spring.

Christmas comes early as celebrated author Michael Rosen visits East Leeds schools

Leeds East Primary Partnership Schools had an early Christmas present when they got a surprise visit from celebrated children's author Micheal Rosen

Dortmund writers exchange stories with Leeds

Following the outcome of the UK referendum writer Peter Spafford had a strong desire to reach out to writers in other countries, to investigate the possibility of working with a writer from a different country with a different language.

Music:Leeds – Making music in Leeds better

Music:Leeds is a project about “making music in Leeds better” we caught up with Sam Nicholls aka Whiskas who has masterminded the project to find out more.

Opera North Youth Chorus meets Aarhus 2017

A group of 30 talented singers from Opera North's Youth Chorus headed to Denmark to open the first GrowOP! Opera Festival for children and teenagers as part of Aarhus 2017's European Capital of Culture programme.

Real life mermaids have a fabulous a tail to tell for city’s culture bid

Meet the fin-tastic Leeds mermaids making a splash as their home city bids to become the cultural capital of Europe.

My EUROCITIES journey: collaboration and community

Pria Bhabra is Leeds City Council’s Commissioning Officer for Migrant Access which following a secondment with partner cities in the EUROCITIES network went on to win a European award for her work with the Leeds Migrant Access Partnership project.

Leeds joins European cultural innovation network

We are proud to announce that Leeds has been accepted to the Network for Innovations in Culture & Creativity in Europe (NICE) which is part of the European Centre for Creative Economy.

Skulptur Projekte Munster and Documenta 14

Skulpture Projekte 2017 is a festival of sculpture (and increasingly objects/ installations/ moving image) that takes place in a diverse range of locations across the small city of Münster. Initiated in 1977 by curator Kasper Koenig, the project seeks to activate, and create, spaces in the public realm through new site-specific commissions by contemporary visual artists.

Writing Away (Leeds-Dortmund Poets Exchange)

In September, a poet from Dortmund, Ralf Thenior, will visit Leeds for a week. He will present a live radio programme on Chapel FM with myself and local writers, work with a group of young German students at Lawnswood High School, headline a special Headingley LitFest event, and read at a ‘house gig’ in Meanwood.

East Street Arts Championing the City’s Greatest [EX]Sports

Firm football aficionados and cycling enthusiasts East Street Arts is no stranger to the grit and gruel of the sporting world. Best known for their unwavering support of artists through studios, residencies and support services they are as likely to be found paint-splattered in the studio as they are they are chanting on the terraces, so when a chance to marry their two loves came along it would have been rude not to.

Mass Silo

Ben Mills, an experimental performance maker and live artist based in Leeds ventured to Rotterdam earlier this year with support of the Leeds 2023 Explore Fund, a new fund we've set up to support the city's artists, creators and makers to explore new collaborations with international partners, as the city develops its bid for the European Capital of Culture title.