 | |
| Time | January to December 2023 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year |
| Type | Unofficial year of culture |
| Organized by | Leeds Culture Trust Leeds City Council |
| Website | https://leeds2023.co.uk/ |
Leeds 2023, stylized as LEEDS 2023, was a designated year of culture taking place in Leeds, West Yorkshire, during 2023. Years of culture are specific years where a city or region dedicates significant resources to investing in cultural initiatives. Initially proposed as a bid to be the host city for European Capital of Culture, post-Brexit exclusion from European Union initiatives meant that Leeds could no longer bid. This resulted in Leeds City Council and partners deciding to run an independent year of culture in 2023.
Leeds Culture Trust, a charity separate to Leeds City Council, was established in 2019 to develop the programme and fund raise for the year of culture. Kully Thiarai was appointed Creative Director in 2019. The year was launched at Headingley Stadium, and was followed by a range of projects in every ward in the city. New performances and public artworks were commissioned, such as Hibiscus Rising by Yinka Shonibare.