Leeds
United Kingdom
Leeds is the largest city in Yorkshire, a northern region in the UK.
Our population is approximately 800,000 residents – who speak 170 languages between them! We have significantly cultural infrastructure including the oldest West Indian Carnival in Europe, the UK’s largest Digital Festival, national opera houses and ballet companies and a thriving independent creative sector.
Leeds is the birthplace of Civil Engineering – John Smeaton, who coined the phrase ‘For the Public Good’, was born here nearly 400 years ago. We are a dance city, and are home for a large number of community-led cultural groups and events.
ECOC
2023 was a transformational year like no other.
12 signature events and a multitude of creative experiences happened all over our city. From
dance to design, art to architecture, poetry to pop, sculpture to sport, grassroots community
theatre to performances on our world-class stages, there was something for everyone, no
matter where you lived or what you liked.
We think culture is everywhere in this city and this was our time to shout about it. We worked
with local, national and international artists and communities to create a celebration that was
for Leeds, with Leeds and inspired by Leeds.
LEEDS 2023 was an explosion of colour, noise and brilliance that showed the world in our
city and our city to the world.
Leeds Culture Trust was the independent body established to deliver LEEDS 2023.
Our journey began in 2015 when the city originally decided to bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2023. After a lot of hard work across the city, hopes were dashed at the last
minute when UK cities were banned from entering, following the country’s vote to leave the EU. But that wasn’t going to stop us. With cross-party support, the backing of more than 20 local businesses and a public poll in the Yorkshire Evening Post, the city collectively said, “Let’s do it anyway!”. With the commitment of Leeds City Council, our mission was to deliver a transformational year of creative experiences that would bring us together and change Leeds forever and for the better.
Who represents the city
Prior to working for Leeds City Council, Lisa was the Cultural Education Manager for West Yorkshire, at the Yorkshire and Humber region’s Bridge organisation (an independent organisation co-funded by Arts Council England and the Department for Education (DfE)). Lisa also brings a deep understanding of cultural engagement and education through her experience of classroom teaching and leadership. She is passionate about sharing knowledge, expertise and opportunities, advocating for cross-border partnerships, and promoting cultural mobility as a means of strengthening global connections.
Contact
Leeds City Council, Merrion House, 100 Merrion Centre, Leeds, LS2 8BB
Lisa.turney@leeds.gov.uk
https://leeds2023.co.uk/
+447526204584
