Search underway for leader of city’s new cultural cornerstone

The search has begun for a dynamic new leader to spearhead the city’s ambitious vision for an international cultural festival celebrating the best of Leeds.

Following approval from Leeds City Council’s Executive Board last month, Leeds Culture Trust is looking for a chair with the skills, knowledge and influence to assemble a high level board of directors and develop the exciting Leeds 2023 International Cultural Festival.

Together, they will lead the way in creating an ambitious, five-year, £35 million cultural programme of events and activities in the run-up to 2023, culminating in an unprecedented year of celebration.

Applications for the role of trust chair are now open, with the trust’s make-up expected to be finalised over the coming months once the chair is appointed.

Formed as part of the city’s bid for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2023, one of the new trust’s chief objectives will be to harness the energy, enthusiasm and creativity which built behind the Leeds bid and take it forward in its new guise.

Using that momentum, the trust and its chair will be charged with overseeing a programme which will engage the public, galvanize the city and develop awareness of Leeds’s international cultural relationships and profile.

The festival itself will showcase the unique cultural life of Leeds and bring the best global arts to the city in an international celebration of its history of innovation and creativity.

It will also bolster Leeds’s reputation as a world class cultural destination and be a catalyst for attracting visitors, jobs, new skills and economic growth.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The collective purpose, passion and unity which built behind our capital of culture bid was truly unprecedented and we’ve been absolutely determined to see that ambition channelled into something unique and memorable which will give Leeds and its communities the spotlight they deserve.

“The aim of Leeds 2023 is to bring the best in global arts to our city and celebrate life in Leeds in a way we have never seen before and this next step in the formation of the Leeds Culture Trust is a crucial one on the road to making that vision a reality.

“What we need now is an exceptional, experienced chair with the knowledge and determination to drive this project forward and deliver a genuinely transformational occasion that will inspire the whole city and change the way Leeds and its culture are perceived forever.”

Leeds City Council’s executive board approved the formation of the Leeds Culture Trust earlier this year, agreeing that they would take the lead in raising funds, delivering a cultural programme over the next five years and the international promotion of the Leeds 2023 project.

Applications for the position of chair of the Leeds Culture Trust are now open.

An application pack, including more details about the role and its requirements can be found at: http://leeds2023.co.uk/leeds-culture-trust-seeks-new-chair-to-deliver-on-ambitious-plans/

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 378 9182 (please note my new number)

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk