Following Leeds City’s Official Year of Culture, the economic impact of a 12-month program of cultural events in Leeds is being assessed.
The evaluation report will assess whether Leeds 2023 has achieved its goals of increasing visitor numbers, creating jobs and attracting external investment to the city.
The program was delivered by the Leeds Cultural Trust, a charity set up by the council following the cancellation of the UK’s participation in the European Capital of Culture competition.
Funding included grants and a £1.8m loan from Leeds City Council.
More than 1,000 volunteers contributed a total of 17,766 hours to the event, according to a report to the council’s Strategy and Resources Review Committee.
“At least 1,100 events took place in the annual event program. This figure is expected to increase further once final data is collected.”
The report said the Year of Culture received national media coverage and 643,000 unique visitors to the Leeds 2023 website.
Jonathan Pryor, council deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, said: “I think what we are going to see are impacts that will last for many years.
“I think this year of culture has had amazing coverage across the country. Personally, I think the arts have value in and of themselves, but in addition to that, there is tremendous economic benefit to this city.” You will understand.”
But councilor Sam Firth, the Conservative member for Harewood, said questions should be asked about spending on the 2023 Leeds conference.
He told Monday’s scrutiny meeting:
“Secretary Pryor says this is an incredible impact, but in my opinion, an incredible amount of money was spent on an incredible flop.”
Cllr Pryor defended the council’s involvement, saying he saw many children enjoying the cultural event.
He said: “This is an important part of this year.
“There was incredible value in this, but it’s a shame to see people who didn’t really participate sniping from the sidelines.”
Leeds 2023 events included the unveiling of Hibiscus Rising, a colorful sculpture by artist Yinka Shonibare on Meadow Lane.
The sculpture was designed in honor of David Oluwale, a British-Nigerian man who drowned in the River Aire while being chased by police in 1969.
The final evaluation and economic impact assessment for Leeds 2023 will be published in the autumn.