Leeds Canvas is the first collaboration between eight of the city’s key arts organisations Yorkshire Dance, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Phoenix Dance, Opera North, Northern Ballet, Leeds City Council, Leeds Met Gallery and Studio Theatre and Leeds Art Gallery. A core team came together to bid to become the Yorkshire region’s Artists taking the lead project and is now responsible for preparing the canvas for our lead artists the Brothers Quay.
The core team is supported by teams of specialists from our organisations responsible for education and outreach, and for marketing and PR. As we begin to realise the Brother’s vision, more of our artistic and technical staff will become involved alongside the artistic team they are assembling.
In order to deliver Canvas 2012, we have employed a small team of freelancers:
Lucie Conrad, Producer
Steve Dearden, Associate Producer Leeds, www.stevedearden.com
Tim Garbutt, Event Manager www.tgevents.co.uk
Lizzie Forbes-Ritte, Project Co-ordinator www.purple-marketing.co.uk
Yorkshire Dance
Core Group: Wieke Eringa, CEO & Artistic Director
Education: Gail Ferrin, Youth & Community Dance Director
Marketing: Antony Dunn, Marketing and Communications Manager
Yorkshire Dance champions the development of dance in Yorkshire. We do so by raising standards, increasing knowledge and understanding and fostering creativity and innovation. Yorkshire Dance is an advocate for dance, a centre of expertise, a catalyst and innovator. As both a dance development agency and choreographic workspace, we develop our role in the national eco-system for dance with particular expertise in innovative community practice and small scale work. With a thriving creative workspace, where artistic talent is nurtured and developed, we ensure that choreographic talent and artistic leadership flourish, supporting the next dance leaders at the early stages of their career. Working with partners in health, sport and local authorities we create new opportunities for people to experience dance, in disadvantaged communities in Leeds and in areas of little provision in the region. www.yorkshiredance.com
West Yorkshire Playhouse
Core Group: Sheena Wrigley, General Director & Joint Chief Executive
Alex Chisholm: Literary Director
Education: Ruth Hannant, Creative Communities Manager
Marketing: Su Matthewman: Communications Director
Since opening in 1990, West Yorkshire Playhouse has provided both a thriving focal point for the communities of West Yorkshire and theatre of the highest standard for audiences throughout the region and beyond. The Playhouse regularly collaborates with other major regional producing theatres and companies, and transfers shows to the West End. Their touring Compnay performs to schools and their First Floor venue offers creative activities for people aged 11 to 19. www.wyp.org.uk
Phoenix Dance Theatre
Core Group: Sharon Watson, Artistic Director
Education: Charis Charles, Education Manager
Marketing: Alex Croft, Marketing Manager
Formed in 1981 in the Harehills area of Leeds, Phoenix Dance Theatre has become one of the UK’s most well-known and respected contemporary dance companies. Touring to mid-scale venues internationally and across the UK, Phoenix presents a repertoire of work from both established and up and coming choreographers, focussing on producing compelling, entertaining and diverse mixed programmes. The work on stage is supported by a dedicated education programme which helps widen access to dance for people of all ages and abilities and provides training for young, aspiring contemporary dancers. www.phoenixdancetheatre.co.uk
Opera North
Steering Group: Dominic Gray, Projects Director
Education Group: Alex Bradshaw, Eduation Producer
Marketing Group: Hazel Arthur, Marketing Manager & Lindsey Porter, PR Manager
A bold national opera company based in the north of England and staging around 300 performances, concerts, events, projects and talks each year, nationwide. Collaborating with innovative artists and a range of creative companies, Opera North produces more than ‘opera’, exiting new and existing audiences on stage, in classrooms, in the concert hall and in its own venue. The Howard Assembly Room is programmed by Opera North, offering an eclectic mix of new commissions, unique collaborations, gigs, films, recitals and kids workshops. www.operanorth.co.uk
Northern Ballet
Steering Group: Jon Ingham, Director of Fundraising
Education: Jo Dean, Project Manager
Marketing: Ruth Burke-Kennedy, Head of Communications
Northern Ballet is a powerhouse of inventive dance reaching people through passionate story-telling and a mastery of classical dance technique. Set up in 1969 they take inspiration from an eclectic mix of classical dance, theatre, popular culture, literature and opera to develop new and original productions or to create a new interpretation of popular classical ballets. Northern Ballet Academy provides classical dance training and offers opportunities for people from all walks of life to experience the joy and excitement of dancing. www.northernballet.com
Leeds City Council
Core Group: Abby Dix-Mason, Community Well Being Manager (Art & Culture)
Leeds City Council’s Arts & Regeneration Team aims to create opportunities for local people to take part in the cultural life of the city, support local artists and organisations working in communities and promote partnership working within the arts and cultural sector. As well as supporting and partnering arts organisations to develop work, the arts and regeneration team organise and co-ordinate a wide range arts projects and annual events. www.leeds.gov.uk/arts
Leeds Met Gallery & Studio Theatre
Core Group: Moira Innes, Director
The Gallery & Studio Theatre have commissioned, produced, curated and promoted contemporary visual art and performance since 1991, working with artists and performance makers engaged in developing new practice. Both the Gallery and Studio Theatre support emerging practice and established practitioners working on the boundary of new forms. Extensive professional development programmes support young artists and education outreach projects maintain active involvement among schools and colleges in the appreciation of new work. www.lmu.ac.uk/arts/
Leeds Art Gallery
Core Group: Nigel Walsh
Education: Elizabeth Knight, Learning & Access Officer
Leeds Art Gallery has been described as ‘Probably the best collection of twentieth century British art outside London’ (John Russell Taylor, The Times) featuring prints, watercolours, paintings, sculptures, photography, and contemporary art. A changing exhibition programme complements a permannet collection of work by artists from the region, such as Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth, Atkinson Grimshaw, Jacob Kramer, as well as work by a range of contemporary artists including Paula Rego, Bridget Riley, Georgina Starr, Tony Cragg, Antony Gormley, Francis Bacon. www.leeds.gov.uk/artgallery