Tuesday 30 June 2026
10.00 AM - 12.30 PM or 4.00 - 6.30 PM
Bradford Arts Centre
St Peter's House, 1 Forster Square, Bradford, BD1 4TY
£0 +
Donations welcome
Connecting Culture Continues as The Bradford Way brings you two more chances to discuss collaboration and placemaking in the ever-changing cultural landscape. If you missed out on the March conference, or if you want to continue the conversation, join us for a short and sweet programme of short talks and discussions.
Join us either for our morning or afternoon session, where we will be covering:
Talks:
Conference Recap
Key themes and reflections from our March Connecting Culture conference.Culture is Still Our Plan
Regional and national policy makers discuss how culture continues as the landscape changes.Knowledge is Power
Latest evaluation updates from Bradford Culture Company following their interim report, and their partnership working with the University of Bradford and the University of Leeds. Plus, their vision for how we can adopt long-term data collection on the ongoing impact of arts and culture across the Bradford district.The Bradford Way of Supporting the Sector
What you told us you need, and how a connected approach can help us to continue to support the sector.
Session speakers include representatives from Bradford Culture Company, Arts Council England and The Bradford Way consortium. Bradford Council’s new Assistant Director of Culture, Policy and Events – David Watson – will join the Culture is Still Our Plan panel.
Discussions:
The Elephants in the Room
What has changed already this year and what needs to change? What are the risks and opportunities for the sector? How do we look after individuals?What’s Next for The Bradford Way?
What cultural infrastructure does Bradford need now? Which voices are still missing?
Funder Development Sessions:
- Arts Council England and National Lottery Heritage Fund are once again offering bookable one-to-one sessions before each event. Booking details will be sent to ticket holders.
Who this event is for
- Creatives, freelancers and arts and culture organisations
- Policymakers and culture funders
- Those invested in cultural planning and placemaking
- Anyone interested in how we can come together to ensure that culture can drive change and raise local creative ambition
Book now
Join us for either the morning or afternoon session.
Tickets are free, and donations are warmly received to help continue the work of The Bradford Way – thank you.
More about The Bradford Way
The Bradford Way is one of the largest Arts Council England-funded Place Partnerships, bringing together Bradford Producing Hub, Bradford Cultural Voice Forum, The Leap and Bradford Council.
This long-term partnership is building a sustainable, inclusive and resilient cultural ecosystem – creating opportunities for local creatives, supporting grassroots projects, and laying strong foundations for a thriving cultural future across the Bradford district.
Established in 2024, the programme was designed to strengthen the district’s cultural community – including those behind the once-in-a-generation achievement of securing UK City of Culture status. Each partner is deeply embedded in the city and district, making them perfectly placed to deliver a plan for culture that goes far beyond 2025 – and one that fosters cultural and heritage development, creates positive change, and lays strong foundations for a thriving cultural future that feels authentic to and for the people of Bradford.
“Bradford is young, ambitious, and creative – and we do things our own way. The Bradford Way is our lasting commitment to our district and how we celebrate that uniqueness. This conference is about the bigger picture for Bradford and what comes next. 2025 has been an outstanding, transformational moment in our story. Through The Bradford Way, we will continue to celebrate and inspire our ‘Bradfordness’ for years to come, using culture as the hook to prove what’s possible.”
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