Wakefield district has a proud history of creativity

As the birthplace of Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, John Harrison, George Gissing, Helen Fielding, David Storey and The Cribs, to name just a few, Wakefield has an established reputation for creativity.

The potential for a new generation of artists, writers, musicians, performers and makers to come together to strengthen and grow the district’s status as a centre for creativity and culture has been recognised. With the support of Arts Council funding, a ‘Cultural Compact’ for the district has been created which will bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders with a shared interest in the role of culture in creating happy, prosperous, inclusive places. This collaboration will include other sectors such as business, health and education.

“Wakefield is a proud district with big ambitions”

Our vision is ‘to drive forward an outstanding quality of life for everyone. A happy, prosperous, welcoming, and inclusive place where culture and creativity is everywhere and for everyone’.

The above words are taken from the Creative Wakefield Framework 2020-2025, a document published in 2020 after extensive consultation with the cultural and creative sector as well as other stakeholders from the wider community who offered strong support for a jointly owned plan with a single vision for the district. A Creative Wakefield Board has now been established to oversee and inform delivery of the framework.

But what will that involve?

Join our webinar on 17th February to hear Julie Russell, Service Director: Arts, Culture and Leisure, Wakefield Council, provide the background to the Framework and to explain the vision. Julie will also talk about some of the plans to reshape and re-purpose some of city centre buildings and spaces – including the former Market Hall which is now being rebranded as Wakefield Exchange and has already seen a number of exhibitions that have drawn large crowds, and the plans for the former BHS store.

Julie will also outline the Council’s strategy for an annual programme of festivals, which starts in 2022 with the Rhubarb Festival in February, and the Council’s approach to developing plans for the Wakefield Year of Culture in 2024.

Julie will be talking to Wakefield Civic Society President Kevin Trickett MBE who is also a member of the Creative Wakefield Board.

This webinar, which is open to all, will be held on Zoom. Register your place now and we will send you a link to the webinar to use on the day of the event.

During the webinar, audience members will be able to ask questions in writing using the Zoom Q&A facility.

A copy of the Creative Wakefield Framework document can be downloaded here: https://creativewakefield.net/creative-wakefield-framework/