Leeds Beckett University’s Leeds School of Arts is Making a Stand with LEEDS 2023

LEEDS 2023’s Year of Culture has officially kicked off and the partnership between Leeds School of Arts and LEEDS 2023 provides the ideal stage to showcase the school’s longstanding contribution to the cultural life of the city, continuing its 170 years of inspiring individuality and creativity. 

Students, academics, and alumni at Leeds School of Arts across art, design, fashion, music, theatre, architecture, and will engage with and deliver a series of activations for ‘Making A Stand’, which sees world renowned visual artist Michael Pinsky and award-winning environmental architects Studio Bark co-creating a bold public artwork in Leeds’ City Square inspired by the city’s history as the Forest of Leodis. The public artwork will be unveiled to the public in the spring and will remain in situ until the end of 2023.

Leeds School of Arts is part of Leeds Beckett University, which was announced as a Principal Education Partner for LEEDS 2023 last year and will lead a series of special creative programmes as part of the cultural celebrations.

In addition to Making a Stand, Leeds Beckett University is also staging RUN, an exciting line-up of events overseen by acclaimed Yorkshire designer and Leeds Beckett academic, Professor Matty Bovan, for fashion and arts enthusiasts to enjoy. The Fashion team at Leeds Beckett University will kickstart a diverse programme from across Leeds School of Arts, scheduled to run from April to June 2023 as part of LEEDS 2023’s ‘Awakening’ and ‘Playing’ seasons.

Leeds Beckett University will also host a range of creatives to deliver the INSIDE/OUT lecture series and conferences, which will present international cutting-edge research and art practice to arts and culture communities in Leeds and beyond.

Dr Oliver Bray, Director of Arts at Leeds School of Arts said: “All of us at Leeds School of Arts are delighted to play an active part in Making a Stand with LEEDS 2023 and embark on this year-long celebration of culture in the city. This is an exciting opportunity for our students, staff and alumni to showcase their outstanding contributions to arts and culture in Leeds and beyond. 

“Leeds School of Arts is a key educator of artists and creatives who go on to enrich and transform all sectors of arts and culture with their limitless ambition and innovation. Our talented students are actively making a difference across art, design, fashion, music, theatre, film, architecture, and creative technologies. The expert support of our academics, who are renowned regionally, nationally, and globally, positions Leeds School of Arts as an ideal partner of LEEDS 2023, allowing our expertise and individuality to shine on a prominent stage.

“We’re working on multiple events as part of  LEEDS 2023, which will invite people in the city to engage with our work in fashion, dance, music, and much more. We will take this opportunity to officially launch the new, state-of-the-art facilities at Leeds School of Arts and celebrate our longstanding role to the arts and cultural life of the city.” 

Leeds School of Arts centres Leeds Beckett’s role in the cultural life of the Leeds city region. Their impressive alumni network of artists, designers, creators and innovators has shaped arts all over the world while acting as a hub for cultural and industry partnerships across the city.

The £80m Leeds School of Arts building provides a home for the filmmakers, artists, and musicians of tomorrow. With state-of-the-art technical equipment, bright studio spaces and a place to showcase and perform, it nurtures home grown skills and ideas. The building has become an integral part of the growing arts and culture scene in the city and has helped to secure the future of the arts in Leeds.