A one-day conference uniting the arts and culture sector to explore the power of place-based collaboration.
Connecting Culture: The Bradford Way is a one-day public conference sharing Bradford’s model for place-based culture.
Bringing together artists, freelancers, producers, funders, policymakers and cultural leaders from Bradford and beyond, the event programme will explore the following themes:
Learning and Looking Forward
Artists, cultural leaders and policymakers reflect on how Bradford’s collaborative spirit secured and delivered the 2025 UK City of Culture. Includes early findings from Bradford 2025 evaluation, new research, and sector needs analysis from The Bradford Way.Connecting Culture
A day-long hub for networking and exchange. Expect opportunity boards, spaces to connect, and a live broadcast with BCB Radio to extend the conversation across the district.The Bradford Way
Stories of collaboration and creativity in Bradford. Hear 10-Minute Tales of ‘Bradfordness’, discover projects strengthening the local creative ecology, and explore case studies from The Bradford Way partnership.Start with Art and Close with Culture
Art is at the heart of the day, and creativity will open, punctuate and close the event.
Marking a moment to unite the arts and culture sector, the conference aims to help shape the District’s creative future beyond its landmark UK City of Culture 2025 year. Attendees will hear how collaborative place-based working aids sector stability and raises the ambition of local arts and culture development.
The full programme for the conference will be announced in February 2026, and will include an introductory plenary session with Bradford 2025 Executive Director Dan Bates, Creative Director Shanaz Gulzar, and Director for Northern Economy and Partnerships at Arts Council England, Pete Massey – to reflect on the collaborative spirit that will share the legacy of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Delegates will also have the opportunity for one-to-one sessions with potential funders, to attend curated screenings by the Yorkshire Film Archive.
Who this event is for
Creatives, freelancers and arts and culture organisations
National policymakers and culture funders
Representatives from towns and cities invested in cultural planning and placemaking
Anyone interested in how culture can drive change and raise local creative ambition