what does local cultural leadership look like?

 

The Leap works to increase participation and leadership in areas with low cultural engagement by putting communities in charge of their own cultural activities. To explore these dynamics, The Leap teamed up with independent evaluator Clare Daněk, the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership (YPIP), and York St John University. Our goal was to demonstrate the value of cultural leadership in less engaged communities and influence broader, long-term support for community-led culture.

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Using people-focused methods—including interviews, workshops, and citizens' assemblies—the project gathered insights from individuals and communities on their motivations, barriers, and understanding of cultural leadership.

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Building upon these foundations, the collaborative research examined The Leap’s model of supporting and developing hyperlocal cultural leadership across Bradford and Keighley. The primary objective was to understand the passions, barriers, and values experienced by people and communities, both to inform future delivery and to provide policy insights for regional and national impact.

Throughout the process, the project engaged the community, local voices and creative place partners at key stages to co-create participatory understanding of cultural leadership. By bringing people and cultural leaders together in dedicated assemblies, participants explored core themes ranging from initial aspirations and support structures to long-term impacts, leadership identities, and understanding of success.

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Ultimately, the initiative produced a comprehensive report analysing motivations, barriers, and leadership in local cultural activity. This work provides vital evidence for expanding community-led cultural practices into new areas and underserved demographic groups. By demonstrating how community-led leaders operate on the ground, the findings offer a practical roadmap for policymakers—providing evidence needed to shift funding models and influence national policy.

Download the Research Booklet

what is a local cultural leader - event day? ****

To celebrate this work Contributors, Partners and the community gathered at The Bradford Arts Centre for the official launch of our new research from the Yorkshire Policy Innovation

Partnership (YPIP), York St John University, and The Leap, which was shaped through three People's Assemblies with local cultural leaders and communities.

The afternoon brought together cultural leaders, communities, funders, and policy influencers for:

  • The launch of our new policy report and research findings

  • Keynote speaker Mohammed Ali Aerosol and panel discussion with local cultural leaders

  • The debut of a film commission created through the project by filmmaker John Slemensek (Studio Bokehgo), which captured the authentic voices, lived experiences, and creative journeys of Bradford's changemakers

  • Discussions about what nurtures local leadership and what gets in its way

  • Conversations about what these findings mean for future cultural policy and funding

Other speakers and contributors included:

  • Professor Matthew Reason – Director, Institute for Social Justice, York St John University

  • Zulfiqar Ahmed – Executive Director, The Leap

  • Dr Clare Daněk – Independent Researcher

  • Vicky Clifton – Director, Heritage Connections CIC

  • Yaseen Mohammed & Saleem Akhtar – Co-founders of the Leeds Road Festival (Bradford)

The Leap