This new status, approved by the Charity Commission, set us on an exciting and sustainable path, reinforcing our commitment to improving access to arts and cultural education for children and young people across Leeds.
We couldn’t have achieved this without the generous support of our partners and stakeholders. As we take a moment to reflect on our achievements over the year, we want to extend a huge thank you for everyone that has supported us along the way.
Building Strong Foundations
In July 2024, alongside this exciting step, we launched a recruitment drive to find new Trustees and Advisory Board members. We searched for passionate individuals across sectors committed to cultural education, collaboration, and the creative development of young people. By September, we were delighted to welcome two new Trustees and several Advisory Board members, bringing a wealth of experience and new perspectives to Leeds33.
Growing Sustainably
August 2024 saw further good news, with Leeds33 awarded a grant from Leeds City Council to support organisational sustainability for the academic year ahead. This was soon followed by an application submitted to Arts Council England for a National Lottery Project Grant in December 2024, setting the groundwork for future cultural education initiatives.
Kicking Off 2025 with New Faces and Resources
We started January 2025 with a special welcome event at Cockburn School, introducing our new Trustees and Advisory Board members. The occasion was celebrated with an inspiring performance by students. Learn more about our new team here.
In February, we shared our first major resource specifically created for educators: “Culture on the Doorstep: A toolkit for educators,” aiming to unlock the potential of local culture within the curriculum. Explore the toolkit here.
Strengthening Cultural Education in Leeds
March brought the excellent news that our Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant application was successful, securing funding for 12 months of cultural education activity. Find out more about this success here.
We also supported the important Mapping Creative Arts Education research project led by the University of Leeds. Now in its third phase, the project continues to gather vital data to improve inclusion, access, and progression within arts education. Discover more about the project and its ongoing impact here.
Reconnecting and Expanding the Team
In May, our popular Leeds33 Pods, collaborative networks that shape our programmes, reconvened for the first time since achieving CIO status. This valuable consultation helped inform our upcoming Arts Council England-funded activities. Find out about the Pods’ discussions and outcomes.
June saw us expanding our internal team with the addition of a new Communications Coordinator, building our capacity to effectively share our work and opportunities.
Looking Ahead: Exciting Roles and Events
July was particularly dynamic with several opportunities opening, including recruitment for a new Cultural Education Partnership Manager (due to join us in September) and a Co-Chair position to guide our continued growth.
We also held our first in-person event as a CIO, over 20 artists, educators and health workers joined us for the Creative Health Networking Event, bringing professionals together to discuss collaborative approaches to creative health. Check out the highlights here.
Closing our year, we joined other northern Local Cultural Education Partnerships (LCEPs) at the LCEPs Connect 2025 event in Bradford, hosted by Curious Minds, another fantastic opportunity to share learning, network, and strengthen cultural education across the region.
Get Involved
It has been a remarkable year for Leeds33, filled with growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact. As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue this journey with our valued partners, educators, stakeholders, and young people across Leeds. There are a few ways you can be a part of the work we do.
If you would like to be a part of future events sign up to the Leeds33 newsletter to be the first to know.
There are three Pods that focus on our priority areas: Creative Health, Creative Skills and Youth Voice. They are groups made up of educators and cultural professionals interested/ with expertise in the above areas. Pods meet online and are currently working to shape the delivery of our Networking and CPD Sessions as part of our 2025/26 programme.
If you are interested in joining one of our Pods get in touch by sending us an email using the button below:
If you are interested in becoming Leeds33’s Co-Chair you can find the full details here.
