Research period: January 2025 - March 2026
Report author: Alison McIntyre, Visual Arts Instigator
Since Bradford Producing Hub began supporting the visual arts sector in 2023, we have been tracking progress against our initial needs analysis report (published and shared widely in September 2023) and a second report published a year later. This new report outlines what has happened since September 2024, and particularly how Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, and the opportunities it has offered, can act as a springboard for continued growth and development.
Whilst we continue to acknowledge that BPH will necessarily take the lead on many of the initiatives designed to meet the needs of the sector, the visual arts strategic group of core district-wide visual arts organisations continues to meet regularly to explore connections, collaborations and mutual support. It includes Bradford Council, Bradford Culture Company, Bradford Museums and Galleries, BPH, Bradford College, Impressions, Saltaire Inspired, Keighley Creative, South Square Centre, HIVE, Yorkshire Contemporary and Yorkshire Visual Arts Network.
Initially formed to address the needs outlined in the original needs-analysis report, it has rapidly become a key strategic driver of action and change for the visual arts in Bradford.
In this report, we outline what has been delivered by BPH and visual arts organisations across the district, against the key priorities of the initial report. This is not an exhaustive list of activity and development that has taken place, but aims to pull out some of the key activity in line with the needs identified through the previous reports.
