The new partnership will see the University support the year-long programme and connect students with signature events and creative experiences planned to happen all over the city.

Leeds Trinity students will be able to get involved as volunteers or through placement opportunities to further develop their skills and networks, in line with the institution’s overall approach to providing a professional and career-led education.  

Leeds Trinity University recently launched a new five-year Strategic Plan, which sets out this commitment and its ambitions to build on engagement and contribution in the Leeds City Region and beyond. Its support of LEEDS 2023 will help to further these aims, with the cultural programme set to offer creative activities across all 33 wards of the district. 

Leeds Trinity is joining a number of higher and further education institutions in the city to back LEEDS 2023 and cement the fast-growing reputation of Leeds as one of the best cities in the UK for a creative education.  

Professor Charles Egbu, Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Trinity University, said: “We are thrilled to be a partner of LEEDS 2023, a year-long celebration of culture. We are extremely proud to be part of a city with such a rich and varied cultural landscape, and this is an incredible opportunity to connect our students and community with a hugely exciting programme of events.

“As part of this, Leeds Trinity students will have the chance to immerse themselves in the vibrant cultural and community heritage of the city, as well further develop their skills and networks as volunteers or through placement opportunities. This aligns strongly with our mission as a career-led university, with embedded placements or work-based projects at every level of study.

“Furthermore, as an Anchor institution in Leeds, we are committed to working together to make a positive difference for people across the city, and we look forward to supporting LEEDS 2023 in many different ways.”

Kully Thiarai, Creative Director and CEO of LEEDS 2023, said: "We are all about growing our creative and cultural economy so it can achieve its full potential. Leeds is already one of the best cities to experience arts and culture, but through these partnerships we want to help show that Leeds is also an exceptional city for anyone that wants a creative education.

"Northern leaders recently came together to launch the ‘Case for Culture’ report which outlined how culture will be the catalyst for levelling up in this region. We certainly see LEEDS 2023 as levelling up in action and playing an instrumental role in the city’s social and economic recovery. We will work with our education partners to create opportunities for those already studying in the city to be part of something that’s one-in-generation, and to attract more young talent to study, work and continue to create here."

LEEDS 2023's ambition is to deliver a transformational year of creative experiences connecting and benefiting people now and into the future. The planned programme is intended to celebrate and transform the City’s identity locally, nationally and internationally – creating a lasting legacy of economic and social impact.

For further information on the upcoming year of culture, visit the LEEDS 2023 website.