Leeds 2023 Explained

LEEDS 2023
Time:January to December 2023
Duration:1 year
Type:Unofficial year of culture
Organizers:Leeds Culture Trust
Leeds City Council
Website:https://leeds2023.co.uk/

Leeds 2023, stylized as LEEDS 2023, was a designated year of culture taking place in Leeds, West Yorkshire, during 2023. Years of culture are specific years where a city or region dedicates significant resources to investing in cultural initiatives. Initially proposed as a bid to be the host city for European Capital of Culture, post-Brexit exclusion from European Union initiatives meant that Leeds could no longer bid. This resulted in Leeds City Council and partners deciding to run an independent year of culture in 2023.

Leeds Culture Trust, a charity separate to Leeds City Council, was established in 2019 to develop the programme and fund raise for the year of culture. Kully Thiarai was appointed Creative Director in 2019. The year was launched at Headingley Stadium, and was followed by a range of projects in every ward in the city. New performances and public artworks were commissioned, such as Hibiscus Rising by Yinka Shonibare.

Background

Leeds is a city recognised for its cultural offering in the fields of art, architecture, music, sport, film and television.[1] In 2015, after a fourteen-month consultation and a public vote, Leeds City Council (LCC) approved the creation of a bid for the city to the UK's nomination for European Capital of Culture in 2023.[2] On 27 October 2017 the city submitted its proposal for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); the other cities to put in bids were Nottingham, Dundee, Milton Keynes and Belfast.[3] [4]

Leeds' initial proposal cost £800,000: the council invested £145,000 and another £600,000 came from private investment.[5] The proposal included the construction of a lighthouse commemorating John Smeaton on the south bank of the Aire, as well as an extension of the city's Light Night festival. The initial bid proposal was chaired by Sharon Watson, principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, who at the time of the bid was artistic director of Phoenix Dance.[6] The bid team stated that they "aim to develop a 100% local and 100% international programme".[7] At the point of bid submission, all cities were under the impression that Brexit negotiations would not have an impact on their applications. However, in November 2017 the European Commission wrote to DCMS stating that due to the UK's withdrawal from the European Union, the country could no longer be involved in the European Capital of Culture programme. This was despite the fact that the cities of Istanbul, Reykjavík and Stavanger, are all in countries outside the EU, that had previously been capitals of culture.[8] In response to the EU's decision, Leeds City Council and its partners decided to build on the existing momentum and to run a year of culture in the city, independent from EU support.[9] [10] [11] [12] This move was described by the Financial Times as: "When its bid to be European Capital of Culture was thwarted by Brexit, the city decided to anoint itself and start partying anyway".[13]

Organisation

Leeds Culture Trust, a charity separate to Leeds City Council, was established in 2019 to develop the programme and fund raise for the year of culture.[14] Leeds Culture Trust's first chair was Ruth Pitt, who joined in 2019 but stepped down in June 2021.[15] [16] Frank Findlay became acting chair, prior to the recruitment of Gabby Logan to the role in November 2021; she took up the position in January 2022.[17] Logan stepped down as chair in September 2023, and was replaced by Findlay as acting chair for the remainder of the year of culture.[18]

Kully Thiarai was appointed Creative Director in 2019, leaving her role as Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales.[19] She has previously worked at Cast, Contact Theatre Manchester, the Leicester Haymarket Theatre, Theatre Writing Partnership and Red Ladder Theatre Company.[20] She took up the post in January 2020.[21]

Major investors in LEEDS 2023 include: Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Arts Council England, Leeds Community Foundation,[22] the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, British Council, KPMG, HBD, Mott MacDonald,[23] Bruntwood,[24] amongst others. In June 2023, LEEDS 2023 received a £2.1 million grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.[25] The British Council was Leeds Culture Trust's core international partner.[26] Leeds Culture Trust agreed to wage and working conditions set by a range of artistic unions, including Equity.[27] Supported by Tracy Brabin, Mayor for West Yorkshire, the year of culture was followed by extensive cultural programming in Kirklees and Calderdale in 2024, and then by Bradford 2025, bringing further regional cultural investment.[28]

Programme

With the strapline 'Letting Culture Loose', LEEDS 2023 announced a community-driven programme in late 2022.[29] The year of culture was also planned to support the city's post COVID-19 pandemic recovery.[30] It described its mission as "an independent, not-for-profit Year of Culture supporting hundreds of creative and cultural events across the city and beyond.".[31] The programme worked across every ward in Leeds, recruiting 'Neighbourhood Hosts' to make hyper-local connections and link communities with funding opportunities under the banner of 'My LEEDS 2023'.[32] [33]

Sport was included in the definition of culture, with the year of culture drawing the Junior British Lead Climbing Championships to the city in September,[34] as well as Leeds United wearing themed kits and Elland Road hosting a unique light-show to celebrate the year of culture.[35] [36] Skate boarding featured through partnership to promote skating to women and people of marginalised genders.[37] [38] Unsung Sports focussed on the important roles that gaelic football, table tennis, women's basketball, aikido, roller skating and petanque play in Leeds.[39] [40] By Spring 2023 over 75 artists had been commissioned to produce works, divided into three seasons through the year, entitled Awakening, Playing, and Dreaming.[41] [42] [43] [44]

Season 1 - Awakening

Held at Headingley Stadium in January, The Awakening was the opening event for LEEDS 2023.[45] [46] Hosted by Gabby Logan and Sanchez Payne, a 10,000 strong crowd was entertained by a range of performers and presenters from Leeds, including: Corinne Bailey Rae, Jamie Jones-Buchanan, Kadeena Cox, George Webster, Simon Armitage and his band, LYR, as well as the chorus of Opera North, Leeds West Indian Carnival, spoken word artists Testament and Danmark Cleary, Ntantu and Graft, as well as tabla expert Inder Goldfinger.[47] [48] Its finale was a drone display featuring a giant, speaking to the people of Leeds.[49] The audience received their tickets in exchange for sending in original or images of artwork they had made: the programmers took an inclusive view of 'art' citing TikToks as just as valid an artistic expression as painting. These works were exhibited in person at the Merrion Centre under the title Waking the Artist, as well as featuring on billboards and poster drums around the city.[50] [51] It also included a themed beer of the same name, a collaboration with North Brewing Co.[52] [53] [54] Early partnerships included Noah's Flood by Benjamin Britten, performed by children in collaboration with Manchester Collective,[55] and the Leeds Literature Festival, featuring Lemn Sissay.[56] In April, Leeds Playhouse launched 1001 Stories, a series of performances created by The Performance Ensemble, designed to celebrate "older people's vast creativity".[57] As part of the series of performances, Alan Bennett read from his diaries.[58] Sinfonia, one of the pieces developed by The Performance Ensemble was due to go on a national tour after the end of the year of culture.[59]

Season 2 - Playing

Unveiled in May 2023, in partnership with Women of the World Festival, the WOW Barn was a new barn built entirely by over 300 women and non-binary people, who undertook training at Leeds College of Building to learn the skills to raise it.[60] The building was used as the venue for Leeds' first iteration of the WOW festival.[61] Initially located on Woodhouse Moor, the barn later moved to Kirkstall Valley Farm.[62] The same month the exhibition Feeling Her Way by Sonia Boyce was shown at Leeds Art Gallery.[63] In June, Making a Stand, a seven metre tall installation in City Square, inspired by the forests that used to cover Leeds, was revealed to the public.[64] Created by artist Michael Pinsky with Studio Bark, the "sculptural forest" intended to connect the civic realm with themes around sustainability and conservation.[65] [66] The same month, Conservative councillor Alan Lamb stated that the year of culture had the potential to be a "damp squib" and that public imaginations had not yet been captured by the programme. This opinion was rebuffed by Labour councillor Jonathan Pryor, who stated that there had already been an undeniable positive economic impact on the city.[67] This view was reiterated by artistic director, Kully Thiarai, citing that the LEEDS 2023 expected to double the investment made by Leeds City Council.Children's Day Reimagined was held at Roundhay Park on 14 July.[68] Inspired by the history of Children's Day in Leeds, which ran from 1922 to 1963 and included parades organised by local teachers, the event was designed by children to celebrate their place in Leeds's society today and was produced by Fevered Sleep.[69] The same month, further criticism was voiced by councillors that central city wards benefitted more than outer ones.[70] My LEEDS Summer was a programme of community-led events in all of Leeds' 33 council wards, which included food and music festivals, led by the Neighbourhood Hosts.[71] [72] In August the programme announced Nest, a site-specific outdoor theatre production by the National Youth Theatre that took place at RSPB St Aiden's in September. The play, set in 2050, the deadline of the Paris Agreement, imagined the future of climate crisis in the region.[73] It was written by Emma Nuttall and directed by Paul Roseby.[74]

Season 3 - Dreaming

Inspired by the achievements of civil engineer John Smeaton, Smeaton 300 is a programme celebrating science and creativity. Moon Palace is a mobile astronomical observatory, designed by artists Heather Peak and Ivan Morrison.[75] The bus toured Leeds in the second half of 2023.[76] In partnership with Leeds Industrial Museum, an exhibition entitled Engineery opened in October 2023, which used objects to discuss Smeaton and civil engineering.[77] This included designs for the Eddystone Lighthouse.[78] Another collaboration with the museum was Any Work That Wanted Doing, a series of artists' interventions which explored the lives of disabled mill workers in the nineteenth century.[79]

September saw the launch of A City without Seams, a project between artist Keith Khan and Burberry, celebrating Leeds' textile heritage and the identities of each of its wards.[80] This included designing new logos for the wards, which were exhibited at Leeds Corn Exchange.[81] Criticism of the project, specifically of the logo for the ward Rothwell, was raised by councillor Diane Chapman.[82] Khan and artistic director Kully Thiarai defended the illustration, stating that it depicted rhubarb growing by candlelight, an agricultural practice that the area is famous for.In October the programme included a series of events entitled All That Lives by artists Ellie Harrison and Zion Art Studio from Mexico, who used Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations to explore death and dying in Yorkshire.[83] [84] The multimedia installation This is a Forest also launched, bringing indigenous artists working with Invisible Flock to display newly commissioned work to Leeds.[85] [86] Artists included Jenni Laiti, Anushka Athique, Vandria Borari, Nwando Ebizie and Outi Pieski.[87] [88] And She Built a Crooked House was another commission, in collaboration with Artangel UK, where artist Gemma Anderson-Tempini created installations in an empty Victorian villa, which explored themes of string theory and motherhood.[89] The first permanent outdoor sculpture by Yinka Shonibare was unveiled in November 2023. Entitled Hibiscus Rising it commemorates David Oluwale, a Nigerian homeless man who was persecuted by officers from Leeds City Police, leading to his death in 1969. New installation of artworks under Leeds Train Station on Neville Street were also unveiled as part of the year of culture.[90] Included as finale projects were Northern Dreaming and The Gifting, linked together as creative storytelling. The Gifting, which took place in December, directed by Kully Thiarai and Alan Lane of Slung Low, was co-produced with the British Library.[91] [92] The show was a piece of immersive theatre, where audience members wore headphones.[93] Northern Dreaming distributed copies of a new book to every child born in Leeds in 2023 as part of a partnership with the British Library.[94]

Legacy

In January 2021, it was predicted that LEEDS 2023 would create 10% growth in the Leeds visitor economy, bring in £114 million of additional direct and indirect revenue, bring 1310 new jobs, create 1000 freelance roles and train 2000 volunteers.[95] [96] Final evaluation of the year of culture was undertaken by The Audience Agency and the Centre for Cultural Value at the University of Leeds.[97] [98] [99] [100]

An initial review by the BBC suggested that although the year had suffered bad luck related to the COVID-19 pandemic and poor weather, it "may help change perceptions of the city".[101] Those challenges were reiterated by Kully Thiarai, speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post in December 2023, however she went on to state that the year "put Leeds on the cultural map, nationally and internationally – and I think we can certainly say that that's happened in the way people talk about the city".[102]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 10 April 2019 . A look at the arts and culture scene in Leeds . 8 November 2023 . Great British Life . en . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230114/https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/things-to-do/22634327.look-arts-culture-scene-leeds/ . live .
  2. Web site: Walsh . Tina . 10 April 2015 . Leeds' bid for European Capital of Culture 2023 gets green light . 8 November 2023 . Time Out Leeds . en-GB . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180524/https://www.timeout.com/leeds/blog/leeds-bid-for-european-capital-of-culture-2023-gets-green-light . live .
  3. News: 27 October 2017 . Leeds submits 2023 Capital of Culture bid . en-GB . BBC News . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180523/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-41776128 . live .
  4. Web site: Leeds . University of . 27 October 2017 . Capital of Culture 2023 – the bid is in . 8 November 2023 . www.leeds.ac.uk . en . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230116/https://www.leeds.ac.uk/news-arts-culture/news/article/4127/capital-of-culture-2023-the-bid-is-in . live .
  5. Web site: Leeds plans own 'Year of Culture' after European let-down . 8 November 2023 . ArtsProfessional . en . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108180524/https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/leeds-plans-own-year-culture-after-european-let-down . live .
  6. News: Vinter . Robyn . 10 January 2023 . I get knocked down: Leeds' year of culture rises from the ashes of Brexit . en-GB . The Guardian . 8 November 2023 . 0261-3077 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230111/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/jan/10/i-get-knocked-down-leedss-year-of-culture-rises-from-the-ashes-of-brexit . live .
  7. Richardson, Sarah Harvey (2017) The Hepworth Wakefield and its Audience(s): The Importance of Scale, Space and Place in Constructing Social Relations in the Art Gallery. PhD thesis, University of Leeds, p.135.
  8. Web site: 2017 . UPDATED: Leeds's capital of culture hopes are dashed as European Commission confirms UK city can't hold title after Brexit . 8 November 2023 . Yorkshire Evening Post . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108184527/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/updated-leedss-capital-of-culture-hopes-are-dashed-as-european-commission-confirms-uk-city-cant-hold-title-after-brexit-597322 . live .
  9. Web site: Events . 8 November 2023 . Art Monthly . en . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230114/https://www.proquest.com/openview/026ced9a9e72b97413cbbb868a02c0be/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=106011 . live .
  10. News: Rowlinson . Liz . 8 June 2023 . Homebuyers feel the lure of Leeds, Yorkshire's unofficial 'city of culture' . Financial Times . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230114/https://www.ft.com/content/49ae3ea1-1cda-4031-8ba2-29a4638e8537 . live .
  11. Book: Bowdin . Glenn A. J. . Events Management . Allen . Johnny . Harris . Rob . Jago . Leo . O'Toole . William . McDonnell . Ian . 31 July 2023 . Taylor & Francis . 978-1-000-90445-1 . 2033 . en . 2 December 2023 . 4 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304231701/https://books.google.com/books?id=1mPDEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Leeds+2023%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA2033#v=onepage&q=%22Leeds%202023%22%20-wikipedia&f=false . live .
  12. Book: Evans, Graeme . Cultural Spaces, Production and Consumption . 2 February 2024 . Taylor & Francis . 978-1-003-83789-3 . en . 2 December 2023 . 4 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304231706/https://books.google.com/books?id=shnlEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Leeds+2023%22+-wikipedia&pg=PT78#v=onepage&q=%22Leeds%202023%22%20-wikipedia&f=false . live .
  13. Web site: In a reinvigorated Leeds, a summer of celebrations is just beginning . 2024-01-16 . www.ft.com . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183808/https://www.ft.com/content/0b76414f-a8f2-4d92-9ea9-bceed713abbd . live .
  14. Web site: Media . Insider . 25 November 2021 . Gabby Logan named Leeds 2023 chair . 8 November 2023 . Insider Media Ltd . en . 9 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231109002458/https://www.insidermedia.com/news/yorkshire/gabby-logan-named-leeds-2023-chair . live .
  15. Web site: Executive board ready to back Leeds Culture Trust . 8 November 2023 . Leeds City Council News . english . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108233951/https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/executive-board-ready-to-back-leeds-culture-trust . live .
  16. Web site: 8 November 2023 . Leeds 2023: Chair of Leeds Culture Trust Ruth Pitt steps down amid workload and health concerns . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108233626/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/leeds-2023-chair-of-leeds-culture-trust-ruth-pitt-steps-down-amid-3289475 . 8 November 2023 .
  17. Web site: Release . Press . 25 November 2021 . Gabby Logan joins the LEEDS 2023 team . 8 November 2023 . South Leeds Life . en-GB . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108233403/https://southleedslife.com/gabby-logan-joins-the-leeds-2023-team/ . live .
  18. Web site: Gabby Logan MBE is stepping down from her role as Chair but will continue her ambassadorial duties as Patron of LEEDS 2023 . 29 November 2023 . LEEDS2023 . en.
  19. Web site: Writer . Staff . 14 June 2019 . Kully Thiarai Leaves National Theatre Wales for New Role at Leeds 2023 . 8 November 2023 . Theatre Weekly . en-GB . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108232634/https://theatreweekly.com/kully-thiarai-leaves-national-theatre-wales-for-new-role-at-leeds-2023/ . live .
  20. Web site: Kully Thiarai . 16 January 2024 . Centre for Cultural Value . en-US . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116115938/https://www.culturalvalue.org.uk/people/kully-thiarai/ . live .
  21. News: 4 October 2021 . Arts supremo Kully Thiarai: 'Break the rules! They need breaking' . en-GB . The Guardian . 8 November 2023 . 0261-3077 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108232633/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/oct/04/arts-supremo-kully-thiarai-break-the-rules-they-need-breaking . live .
  22. Web site: Business Plan . 21 December 2023 . LEEDS2023 . en . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221094214/https://leeds2023.co.uk/business-plan . live .
  23. Web site: Collins . Francesca . 1 February 2022 . Leeds 2023 announces creative partners for year of culture . 8 November 2023 . Museums Association . en-US . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230111/https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2022/02/leeds-2023-announces-creative-partners-for-year-of-culture/ . live .
  24. Web site: Bruntwood Announced as Headline Sponsor for LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture . 8 November 2023 . Bruntwood . en . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108232635/https://bruntwood.co.uk/news/bruntwood-announced-as-headline-sponsor-for-leeds-2023-year-of-culture/ . live .
  25. Web site: 21 December 2023 . Leeds 2023 awarded over £2 million in National Lottery fund support for year of culture and heritage . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221093410/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/business/leeds-2023-awarded-over-ps2-million-in-national-lottery-fund-support-for-year-of-culture-and-heritage-3748679 . 21 December 2023 .
  26. Web site: 21 December 2023 . Leeds Year of Culture 2023 British Council . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221094720/https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/city-culture-programme/leeds-year-culture-2023 . 21 December 2023 .
  27. Web site: 5 December 2022 . Leeds Culture Trust sign up to union agreement for LEEDS 2023 . 8 November 2023 . Equity . en . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108232639/https://www.equity.org.uk/news/2022/leeds-culture-trust-sign-up-to-union-agreement-for-leeds-2023 . live .
  28. Web site: 23 February 2023 . Investing in culture and the creative industries is key to levelling up in the North . 2 January 2024 . Politics Home . en . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183810/https://www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/investing-culture-creative-industries-key-levelling-north-tracy-brabin . live .
  29. Web site: 1 June 2021 . Leeds 2023 launches community-driven programme . 8 November 2023 . Museums Association . en-US . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108232633/https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2021/06/leeds-2023-launches-community-driven-programme/ . live .
  30. Web site: Leeds . University of . Helping to deliver a cultural showcase . 29 November 2023 . www.leeds.ac.uk . en . 4 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304231709/https://www.leeds.ac.uk/horizons-institute/dir-record/profiles/19722/helping-to-deliver-a-cultural-showcase . live .
  31. Web site: 2023-12-21 . Our story . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221090028/https://leeds2023.co.uk/our-story . 2023-12-21 . 2023-12-21.
  32. Web site: Meet the Neighbourhood Hosts: 33 inspiring people shining a light on the communities of Leeds . 21 December 2023 . LEEDS2023 . en . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221092208/https://leeds2023.co.uk/news/meet-the-neighbourhood-hosts . live .
  33. Web site: Sweet Dreams . 21 December 2023 . en-GB . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221092139/https://jlifemagazine.co.uk/interviews-leeds/sweet-dreams . live .
  34. Web site: Junior British Lead Climbing Championships heads to Leeds for 2023 edition . 2 January 2024 . www.thebmc.co.uk . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183809/https://www.thebmc.co.uk/junior-british-lead-climbing-championships-heads-to-leeds-for-2023-edition . live .
  35. Web site: Leeds United show support for LEEDS 2023 with specially dedicated match . 2 January 2024 . LEEDS2023 . en . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183808/https://leeds2023.co.uk/news/leeds-united-show-support-for-leeds-2023-with-specially-dedicated-match . live .
  36. Web site: 2 January 2024 . Elland Road to light up in LEEDS 2023 colours as club dedicates Liverpool match to the city's Year of Culture . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102165331/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/art/elland-road-to-light-up-in-leeds-2023-colours-as-club-dedicates-liverpool-match-to-the-citys-year-of-culture-4105139 . 2 January 2024 .
  37. Web site: 6 May 2023 . How LEEDS 2023 is helping to empower skateboarders in city and combat stigma Yorkshire Evening Post . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230506071031/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/how-leeds-2023-is-helping-to-empower-skateboarders-in-city-and-combat-stigma-3796698 . 6 May 2023 .
  38. Web site: Post . Guest . 13 September 2023 . Street Skating Together with LS-TEN . 16 January 2024 . South Leeds Life . en-GB . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116120840/https://southleedslife.com/street-skating-together-with-ls-ten/ . live .
  39. Web site: 17 May 2022 . Irish Centre to host celebration of 'hidden' sports in Leeds such as gaelic football Yorkshire Evening Post . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220517170546/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/irish-centre-to-host-celebration-of-hidden-sports-in-leeds-such-as-gaelic-football-3689937 . 17 May 2022 .
  40. Web site: 24 October 2023 . Unsung Sports: Leeds arts project celebrates 'vital' groups involved in aikido, petanque and women's basketball . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231024090242/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do/unsung-sports-leeds-arts-project-celebrates-vital-groups-involved-in-aikido-petanque-and-womens-basketball-4374811 . 24 October 2023 .
  41. News: Elliott . Jenny . 10 April 2023 . Leeds must: 10 hidden gems to see during the city's Year of Culture 2023 . 8 November 2023 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230110/https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2023/apr/10/leeds-year-of-culture-2023-10-hidden-gems-to-see . live .
  42. Web site: 8 November 2023 . Leeds Year of Culture 2023 British Council . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108211142/https://www.britishcouncil.org/arts/city-culture-programme/leeds-year-culture-2023 . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023.
  43. Web site: 28 September 2023 . The last part of Leeds 2023 will be a reflection of a city of dreamers – Kully Thiarai . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928014310/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/opinion/columnists/the-last-part-of-leeds-2023-will-be-a-reflection-of-a-city-of-dreamers-kully-thiarai-4276222 . 28 September 2023 . 8 November 2023.
  44. News: Cumming . Laura . Empire . Kitty . Clapp . Susannah . Maddocks . Fiona . Fox . Killian . Hogan . Michael . 19 March 2023 . The best free spring culture in Britain, chosen by Observer critics . 2 January 2024 . The Observer . en-GB . 0029-7712 . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183808/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/mar/19/the-best-free-spring-culture-in-britain-chosen-by-observer-critics . live .
  45. Web site: LEEDS 2023 director rejects 'damp squib' criticism . 8 November 2023 . ArtsProfessional . en . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230124/https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/leeds-2023-director-rejects-damp-squib-criticism . live .
  46. Web site: 21 December 2023 . Four star review of Leeds 2023 opening ceremony The Awakening . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221094522/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/four-star-review-of-leeds-2023-opening-ceremony-the-awakening-3986062 . 21 December 2023 .
  47. News: 6 January 2023 . Leeds 2023: City's year of culture to bring 'lasting legacy' . en-GB . BBC News . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230110/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-64152609 . live .
  48. Web site: 7 December 2022 . LEEDS 2023 – CEO Kully Thiarai: 'The Awakening' show will light a torch of creativity for the year ahead . 8 November 2023 . Asian Culture Vulture . en-GB . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108232634/https://asianculturevulture.com/portfolios/leeds-2023-ceo-kully-thiarai-the-awakening-show-will-light-a-torch-of-creativity-for-the-year-ahead/ . live .
  49. Web site: 2023-01-08 . Leeds 2023: Drones create giant head above Headingley Stadium for The Awakening show - video Dailymotion . 2024-02-29 . Dailymotion . en . 29 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240229082928/https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8h0u9u . live .
  50. Web site: Waking the Artist . 16 January 2024 . LEEDS2023 . en . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116122333/https://leeds2023.co.uk/waking-the-artist . live .
  51. Web site: westleedslife . 5 April 2023 . Review of Waking The Artist: Exhibition . 16 January 2024 . West Leeds Dispatch . en-GB . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116122613/https://westleedsdispatch.com/review-of-waking-the-artist-exhibition/ . live .
  52. Web site: Darren . 22 April 2023 . North celebrates culture in Leeds with new collaboration – . 8 November 2023 . beertoday.co.uk . en-US . 4 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304231712/https://beertoday.co.uk/2023/04/22/north-leeds-culture-0423/ . live .
  53. Web site: Waking The Artist: Leeds 2023 . 16 January 2024 . North Brewing Co . en . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116122613/https://info.northbrewing.com/beer/waking-the-artist-leeds-2023/ . live .
  54. Web site: Guild . Beer . 24 April 2023 . Introducing Waking the Artist – the beer collaboration between North Brewing and Leeds 2023 . 16 January 2024 . The British Guild of Beer Writers . en-GB . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240116122615/https://www.beerguild.co.uk/news/introducing-waking-the-artist-the-beer-collaboration-between-north-brewing-and-leeds-2023/ . live .
  55. Web site: canderson . 30 March 2023 . Manchester Collective and Slung Low stage Benjamin Britten's community opera Noah's Flood. . 2 January 2024 . Colin's Column . en-GB . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183809/https://www.colinscolumn.com/manchester-collective-and-slung-low-stage-benjamin-brittens-community-opera-noahs-flood/ . live .
  56. Web site: 27 January 2023 . Leeds Lit Fest returns to the city for its fifth year Yorkshire Post . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127025227/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/books/leeds-lit-fest-returns-to-the-city-for-its-fifth-year-3995392 . 27 January 2023 .
  57. Web site: 1001 Stories – Leeds Playhouse . 29 November 2023 . en-GB . 4 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204191623/https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/event/1001-stories/ . live .
  58. Web site: Wild . Stephi . Alan Bennett Joins Lineup For 1001 STORIES at Leeds Playhouse . 29 November 2023 . BroadwayWorld.com . en . 6 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230406170234/https://www.broadwayworld.com/uk-regional/article/Alan-Bennett-Joins-Lineup-For-1001-STORIES-at-Leeds-Playhouse-20230405 . live .
  59. Web site: Wild . Stephi . New Dolly Parton Musical and More Set For Leeds Playhouse Spring/Summer 2024 Season . 2 January 2024 . BroadwayWorld.com . en . 1 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240101224244/https://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/PARANORMAL-ACTIVITY-MY-FAIR-LADY-HERE-YOU-COME-AGAIN-and-More-Set-For-Leeds-Playhouse-SpringSummer-2024-Season-20231206 . live .
  60. Web site: 4 December 2023 . MOVERS AND SHAKERS: EDITION 444 . 2 January 2024 . feweek.co.uk . en-GB . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102132326/https://feweek.co.uk/movers-and-shakers-edition-444/ . live .
  61. News: 2 May 2023 . Leeds 2023 volunteers raise a barn in 24 hours . en-GB . BBC News . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230111/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-65454990 . live .
  62. Web site: westleedslife . 26 May 2023 . WOW Barn finds a new home at Kirkstall Valley Farm . 8 November 2023 . West Leeds Dispatch . en-GB . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230112/https://westleedsdispatch.com/wow-barn-finds-a-new-home-at-kirkstall-valley-farm/ . live .
  63. Web site: Gallery going for gold with award-winning musical exhibition . 2 January 2024 . Leeds City Council News . english . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183810/https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/gallery-going-for-gold-with-award-winning-musical-exhibition . live .
  64. News: Pandey . Geha . 22 June 2023 . Leeds 2023 Making A Stand: The story behind the huge sculptural forest in Leeds City Square . Yorkshire Evening Post . 28 November 2023 . 28 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231128195432/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do/leeds-2023-making-a-stand-the-story-behind-the-huge-sculptural-forest-in-leeds-city-square-4191772 . live .
  65. Web site: 28 July 2023 . Member's Blog: Making a Stand By Wilf Meynell . 28 November 2023 . Woodland Heritage . en-GB . 4 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304231709/https://www.woodlandheritage.org/news/2023/7/5/members-blog-making-a-stand-by-wilf-meynell . live .
  66. Web site: 27 July 2023 . Studio Bark designs "sculptural forest" timber installation for Leeds . 28 November 2023 . Dezeen . en . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221170534/https://www.dezeen.com/2023/07/27/studio-bark-timber-installation-leeds-making-a-stand/ . live .
  67. News: 23 June 2023 . Leeds 2023 festival branded 'damp squib' by Conservative leader . en-GB . BBC News . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230116/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-65985213 . live .
  68. Web site: 25 May 2023 . Children's Day: Reimagined . 29 November 2023 . Fevered Sleep . en-GB . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221034144/https://www.feveredsleep.co.uk/project/childrens-day-reimagined . live .
  69. News: 18 August 2023 . Children's Day reimagined: portraits of the kids of Leeds – in pictures . en-GB . the Guardian . 29 November 2023 . 0261-3077 . 27 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231127211950/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2023/aug/18/childrens-day-portraits-of-the-kids-of-leeds-in-pictures . live .
  70. Web site: 17 July 2023 . Cultural events will stop 'brain drain' to London – top councillor claims . 8 November 2023 . Bradford Telegraph and Argus . en . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230110/https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23661530.cultural-events-will-stop-brain-drain-london---meeting-told/ . live .
  71. Web site: Morton . Jeremy . 17 February 2023 . Community call out to take part in My LEEDS Summer . 29 November 2023 . South Leeds Life . en-GB . 10 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231210111025/https://southleedslife.com/community-call-out-to-take-part-in-my-leeds-summer/ . live .
  72. Web site: 3 July 2023 . Leeds 2023: My Leeds Summer kicks off with city's 33 wards hosting music shows, food and fashion events Yorkshire Evening Post . 16 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230703120430/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/leeds-2023-my-leeds-summer-kicks-off-with-citys-33-wards-hosting-music-shows-food-and-fashion-events-4191625 . 3 July 2023 .
  73. News: 5 September 2023 . Leeds nature reserve to host climate change play . en-GB . BBC News . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230113/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-66707483 . live .
  74. Web site: 5 September 2023 . Nature park hosts theatre piece featuring cast of more than 100 young people . 8 November 2023 . The Independent . en . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230111/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/nest-leeds-nyt-national-youth-theatre-b2405106.html . live .
  75. News: Brown . Mark . 4 August 2023 . Moon Palace: the observatory bus bringing 'awe and wonder' to Leeds . en-GB . The Guardian . 8 November 2023 . 0261-3077 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230110/https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/aug/04/moon-palace-the-observatory-bus-bringing-awe-and-wonder-to-leeds . live .
  76. News: 5 August 2023 . Leeds 2023: Mobile observatory bus begins city-wide tour . en-GB . BBC News . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108230110/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-66405720 . live .
  77. Web site: Historic lighthouse designs a beacon of brilliance in city's new exhibition . 2 January 2024 . Leeds City Council News . english . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183809/https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/historic-lighthouse-designs-a-beacon-of-brilliance-in-citys-new-exhibition . live .
  78. News: 29 October 2023 . John Smeaton's Eddystone lighthouse designs shown in Leeds . en-GB . BBC News . 2 January 2024 . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102185514/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-67233150 . live .
  79. Web site: Crawshaw . Gill . 18 September 2023 . Any Work That Wanted Doing – the stories of disabled mill workers . 2 January 2024 . Disability Arts Online . en . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183809/https://disabilityarts.online/blog/gill-crawshaw/any-work-that-wanted-doing-the-stories-of-disabled-mill-workers/ . live .
  80. Web site: 8 November 2023 . Burberry celebrates the city of Leeds with bespoke textile artworks – Burberryplc . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108222236/https://www.burberryplc.com/news/communities/2023/burberry-celebrates-the-city-of-leeds-with-bespoke-textile-artworks . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023.
  81. Web site: WW . FashionNetwork com . Burberry links with artist for Leeds textile project . 29 November 2023 . FashionNetwork.com . en-WW . 4 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304231736/https://ww.fashionnetwork.com/news/Burberry-links-with-artist-for-leeds-textile-project,1560641.html . live .
  82. Web site: 8 November 2023 . Leeds 2023: Rothwell logo likened to 'Voldemort and dementors' from Harry Potter books . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108222049/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/politics/leeds-2023-rothwell-logo-likened-to-voldemort-and-dementors-from-harry-potter-books-4225343 . 8 November 2023 . 8 November 2023.
  83. Web site: Discussing death and dying . 29 November 2023 . spotlight.leeds.ac.uk . en . 21 December 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221221175638/https://spotlight.leeds.ac.uk/discussing-death-and-dying/ . live .
  84. Web site: 2 October 2022 . Leeds 2023 to see a reimagining of Mexico's Day of the Dead as elements of the 'epic' programme revealed Yorkshire Post . 29 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002134929/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/leeds-2023-to-see-a-reimagining-of-mexicos-day-of-the-dead-as-elements-of-the-epic-programme-revealed-3855136 . 2 October 2022 .
  85. Web site: Leeds 2023 presents – "This is a FOREST" at Moda, New York Square – Moda Living . 29 November 2023 . modaliving.com . en . 29 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231129175815/https://modaliving.com/community/this-is-a-forest . live .
  86. Web site: 27 October 2023 . Art collective Invisible Flock's latest project This is a Forest reimagines city as a forest . 29 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231027075649/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/arts-and-culture/art/art-collective-invisible-flocks-latest-project-this-is-a-forest-reimagines-city-as-a-forest-4380969 . 27 October 2023 .
  87. Web site: jennilaiti.com . This is a FOREST . 29 November 2023 . Jenni Laiti . 28 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231128161111/https://www.jennilaiti.com/thisisaforest . live .
  88. Web site: 6 October 2023 . This is a FOREST – Exhibition, Leeds . 29 November 2023 . Nwando Ebizie . en-US . 4 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240304231736/https://www.nwandoebizie.com/events2/the-forest . live .
  89. News: Brown . Mark . 19 October 2023 . Leeds art installation helps children grapple with fourth spatial dimension . The Guardian . 2 January 2024 . 0261-3077 . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102183808/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/oct/19/leeds-art-installation-helps-children-grapple-with-fourth-spatial-dimension . live .
  90. Web site: New outdoor artworks celebrate history, life, and culture of Leeds . 2 January 2024 . Network Rail Media Centre . english . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102132327/https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/new-outdoor-artworks-celebrate-history-life-and-culture-of-leeds . live .
  91. Web site: 12 October 2023 . Leeds 2023: Kully Thiarai and Slung Low come together for a 'magical' Christmas show to close Year of Culture . 29 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231012070007/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/whats-on/things-to-do/leeds-2023-kully-thiarai-and-slung-low-come-together-for-a-magical-christmas-show-to-close-year-of-culture-4358453 . 12 October 2023 .
  92. Web site: VERSA Leeds Studios Hosts First of its Kind Immersive Theatrical Experience LBBOnline . 2 January 2024 . lbbonline.com . en . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102132328/https://lbbonline.com/news/versa-leeds-studios-hosts-first-of-its-kind-immersive-theatrical-experience . live .
  93. Web site: TSOTA Recommends: Cultural Christmas Alternatives . 2 January 2024 . The State Of The Arts . en-GB . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102132327/https://www.thestateofthearts.co.uk/features/cultural-christmas-alternatives/ . live .
  94. Web site: Release . Press . 24 October 2023 . Northern Dreaming: a book for all Leeds babies . 28 November 2023 . South Leeds Life . en-GB . 9 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231209025912/https://southleedslife.com/northern-dreaming-a-book-for-all-leeds-babies/ . live .
  95. Web site: Murgatroyd . Karen . 7 March 2023 . Update on LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture . 21 December 2023 . Leeds City Council.
  96. LEEDS 2023, ‘Reimagining where we live: cultural placemaking and the levelling up agenda’ Evidence presented to UK Parliament, 2023
  97. Web site: AHC . 4 January 2022 . Evaluating Cities of Culture: A case study of Leeds 2023 . 21 December 2023 . ahc.leeds.ac.uk . en . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221100618/https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/performance/news/article/2009/evaluating-cities-of-culture-a-case-study-of-leeds-2023 . live .
  98. Web site: Elliott . Jenny . 22 March 2023 . Adopting a creative, rigorous approach to researching LEEDS 2023 . 21 December 2023 . Centre for Cultural Value . en-US . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221100616/https://www.culturalvalue.org.uk/researching-leeds-2023/ . live .
  99. Web site: New research and evaluation partners to redefine 'value' of cultural investment . 21 December 2023 . LEEDS2023 . en . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221100615/https://leeds2023.co.uk/news/new-research-and-evaluation-partners-to-redefine-value-of-cultural-investment . live .
  100. Web site: Dowlen . Robyn . 10 May 2023 . 'Leeds 2023': can investment in culture improve a city's health? Yes, but more ambition is needed . 21 December 2023 . The Conversation . en-US . 21 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231221100615/http://theconversation.com/leeds-2023-can-investment-in-culture-improve-a-citys-health-yes-but-more-ambition-is-needed-202911 . live .
  101. Web site: 31 December 2023 . Leeds 2023: A look back on 12 months of culture and its impact . 2 January 2024 . BBC News . en-GB . 1 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240101163015/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnkdzwv5z1qo . live .
  102. Web site: 2 January 2024 . LEEDS 2023 creative director Kully Thiarai on the challenges, highlights and legacy of the Year of Culture . 2 January 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240102115624/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/people/leeds-2023-creative-director-kully-thiarai-on-the-challenges-highlights-and-legacy-of-the-year-of-culture-4431923 . 2 January 2024 .

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