Theatre, live music, art, photography, and storytelling made by Bradford’s own artists and organisations are officially on the line-up for 2025.
Bradford’s City of Culture team has revealed a glimpse of what is to come - from writing masterclasses and street music to plays and poetry.
The culture team’s latest round of funding will help bring ideas by 10 of the district’s own talented organisations and artists to life.
They are the first to benefit from Bradford 2025’s Artist-Led Project Awards grants.
The total amount of grant money allocated is unable to be disclosed at this stage, a spokesperson for Bradford 2025 confirmed.
Shanaz Gulzar, Creative Director of Bradford 2025, said: “The Bradford district is brimming with creativity and we’re proud to be offering opportunities for it to further progress and thrive.
“Through these programmes and more, we’re ensuring that people in the region are at the heart of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.”
While bigger details about each of the successful projects are soon to be unveiled, the names have been released.
Successful artists and organisations from this round include Ascendance, a charity which lifts people’s health and wellbeing through dance and performance; eccentric street band The Peace Artistes; Northern Duck Productions, a theatre company supporting underrepresented stories in Bradford; and playwrights Deborah Pakkar-Hull and Emma Adams.
Other successful participants include multilingual poet and spoken word artist Nabeela Ahmed, Arabic Calligraphy artist Razwan Ul Haq and Shipley-based People Powered Press, visual artists Jim Mitcham and Geoff Kendal, multi-disciplinary artist Lucy Barker, and Imaran Ali and Tarique Naeem who work with emerging technologies.
The successful applicants are now working alongside the Bradford 2025 team to create new projects that connect with residents from across Bradford.
A second round of Artist-Led Project Awards will open in August.
The FORGE Film Lab is set to draw on Bradford’s rich cinematic history and create the next generation of screenwriters, filmmakers and directors.
Budding filmmakers will be given the unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take part in workshops and masterclasses led by industry professions before premiering their work in 2025.
Those involved in the FORGE Film Lab will be able to develop their films, scripts and cinematic ideas within a specialist environment at The Unit, in Keighley.
They will also benefit from having access to a wide range of resources, mentoring and hands-on training allowing them to develop their films and perfect their skills.
It is hoped to set them up for future careers in the screen industry. The successful filmmakers, screen writers and directors will be announced this summer.
The FORGE Film Lab has been developed in collaboration with Screen Yorkshire.
It comes as artists Millicent Sanders, of Shipley, and Tahir Shah, of Heaton, represent Bradford at a prestigious international exhibition of culture in Venice.
The annual Venice Biennale dives into themes of politics and contemporary cultural and social issues through performance, sculpture and installations.
Millicent and Tahir - through Bradford 2025’s partnership with the British Council - have been awarded Venice Fellowships and made ambassadors of John Akomfrah’s British Pavilion exhibition.
The duo are spending a month in Venice where they will join other artists from across Britain.
Whilst in Venice, they have the chance to enhance their creative practice, connect with artists from all over the world and develop a piece of work within an international context.
Upon their return, Millicent and Tahir will participate in a knowledge exchange with local creatives and Bradford 2025.
Textile designer Millicent Saunders said: “I am really excited to be going to Venice, as part of the Venice fellowship programme with British Council and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture. I’ll be developing my own research project, connecting Italian migrant workers from the textile industry to Bradford’s mills and textile workers."
Before 2025 arrives, events have been planned to crank up excitement for the big year.
A magical parade of life-size giraffes will be making their way through the centre of Bradford.
The spectacular sight - both free and family-friendly - features performers, musicians, and even an opera singer.
It is taking place between 4pm and 5pm on Saturday, August 24.
Art lovers can also see a special solo exhibition by British-Pakistani artist Osman Yousefzada at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery and Lister Park.
He works to highlight the stories and identities of marginalised people – particularly those of immigrants and women.
Taking place between May 3 and October 13, ‘Where It Began’ brings together Yousefzada’s colourful artworks from his recent V&A exhibition and new works made exclusively for Bradford.
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