Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House has announced an ambitious three year learning programme.
Grand Futures Leeds supported by the Emerald Foundation, will open up Leeds Grand Theatre and the City Varieties Music Hall to thousands of young people from across the city.
The scheme will enable children and young people, individually or through schools, colleges, universities and community groups to be creative, to get hands-on experience producing performances, festivals and other events; and to voice their experiences of life in Leeds through two of the city’s oldest cultural institutions. The programme aims to give young people new skills and to invite a fresh creative response to the city’s heritage.
Grand Futures Leeds takes place from 2014-2017 and will include:
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The development of a major new youth-led arts Festival in 2015 ‘Grand Quarter Festival’ – in which young people will plan, produce, commission, promote and manage the Festival events.
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Growth of the Grand Futures Leeds Arts Partnership Network working with Leeds arts organisations to establish a new model arts academy and city-wide apprenticeship programme. Eight one-year apprenticeships and ten internships have already received support from the Creative Employment Programme and the city’s Apprenticeship Hub.
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Increased training opportunities at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House including three year-long funded apprenticeships and work experience placements for secondary school children and students.
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Pop-Up Shop for youth-led exhibitions and creative-enterprise ideas to be tested at 42 New Briggate – which started with the ‘Theatres at War’ exhibition on 8th and 14th September.
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A year-round programme of participation including backstage tours, artist-led sessions for pre-school age children and the City Varieties Youth Theatre.
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Development of the annual Child Friendly Leeds awards held at City Varieties Music Hall – to enable young people to manage and lead the event.
Grand Futures Leeds is designed to complement and support the work of the city’s arts and cultural offer, working with artists and institutions to create better, affordable and new opportunities for young people to develop their skills and talents.
Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Chair of Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House said:
“Grand Futures Leeds represents our commitment to creating new opportunities for young people in Leeds, to benefit from increased access to learning, and to be inspired by spectacular buildings like Leeds Grand Theatre.
“For all of us in Leeds, this is a chance to benefit from a fresh wave of creative ideas.”
Grand Futures Leeds is supported with funding from the Emerald Foundation through benefactor and long-time supporter of Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House, Dr Keith Howard.
Dr Keith Howard of the Emerald Foundation said:
“Grand Futures Leeds is a chance for us to seriously invest in young performers, technicians, designers, directors and administrators of the future. Learning opportunities are vital to progress, and I’m delighted to help Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House to involve more young people in influencing the city’s artistic and creative life. I’m also excited to see how they respond to the rich history of the spaces they’ll be using.”
Anyone interested in arts careers can also email;
poppy.raynor@leedsgrandtheatre.com
