Leeds 2023, a programme to celebrate and transform the city, has been awarded just over £2.1m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to develop creative projects.
Leeds 2023 is one of seven new projects nationally to share £13.7m awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, aimed at supporting nature, communities and cultural recovery post- pandemic.
The grant has been awarded to Leeds Culture Trust, the charitable organisation delivering Leeds 2023, which made the successful bid to support a range of creative projects central in “Letting Culture Loose” across the city throughout its year of culture in 2023.
The funding will be used to discover individual and community-based stories, bringing them to life in engaging ways to reach new audiences.
The stories are designed to attract visitors and engage audiences to experience Leeds in new ways, with local residents able to see their own stories brought to life across the city.
Leeds 2023 Creative Director and CEO, Kully Thiarai, said: “The Leeds 2023 team is delighted to have been awarded this latest funding which will play a crucial role in developing these original and exciting projects. As an organisation we are absolutely committed to revealing and celebrating the diverse stories and the great heritage of our fantastic city. One of our greatest strengths is our diversity and this project helps to amplify all those voices and celebrate our differences.
“Heritage is so much more than just buildings, statues or artifacts and we want to celebrate the people and the communities that have helped to shape Leeds into this amazing city.”
David Renwick, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “Being home to many diverse and vibrant stories, Leeds has a heritage that is very much deserving of a celebration like Leeds 2023. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, we’re delighted to be supporting this fantastic programme that truly puts people at its heart, and will share the city’s amazing heritage far and wide. We know that heritage is a great way of bringing people together and creating a sense of pride of place, and we’re really looking forward to seeing how that all comes together at Leeds 2023.”
The full Leeds 2023 programme will be unveiled to the public on Friday September 23.
