THE BRADFORD WAY-Peg Alexander launches Connecting Culture Conference. Image credit Tim Smith
Bradford’s year as the City of Culture was “a moment of collective self-recognition, in which an inclusive city saw its creativity reflected back at itself on a huge scale”. But now, its legacy is beginning to take shape in more embedded and long-term ways; through skills development, creative networks and renewed confidence across the sector.
It’s within this context that 200 artists, freelancers, funders and policymakers gathered for ‘Connecting Culture: The Bradford Way’, a conference exploring the power of place-based collaboration.
TSOTA joined the conference and spoke to several artists and organisation members who’ve been supported by The Bradford Way to deliver work that extends beyond individual projects and into the wider creative community. The resounding sentiment of the day was that the sector had fundamentally shifted, from siloed working to a more connected cultural landscape, where creativity is increasingly recognised as central to policy, growth and social change.
“I am seeing stronger confidence, stronger self-belief, more strategic thinking and a healthier mindset around value, negotiation and growth,” says Minoti Parikh, whose ‘Expanding Horizons’ workshops offered leadership and business lessons for freelancers and organisations. She’s witnessed participants transform early-stage ideas into structured businesses and developed clearer long-term strategies.
Minoti describes this as a shift from “operating in scarcity and survival” to working with greater clarity, legitimacy and enterprise: the shift that starts to change a sector.
“Participants feel more confident to say no, be more assertive and align their business and creative practice.”
Elsewhere, ‘SUSTAIN’ (led by Lou Cope) has offered mid-career artists and freelancers, who felt overstretched or underearning in their practice, the time and space to properly reflect on their work.
Through organising one-to-one support, peer networks and away days, the programme has helped participants reassess their goals and build more sustainable career plans. Crucially, it was fully funded, with artists paid to take part, addressing a key barrier to development. As Lou explains, “there aren’t many freelance artists who can afford to down tools to do the bigger thinking, strategising and networking… That’s part of the problem.”
Participants would often go into the process burnt out or uncertain about their path, but left re-energised and more confident, with peer relationships continuing well after the programme’s end. “There is no reason that the brilliant artists in and around Bradford should not be able to support and encourage each other as they go on their independent journeys”.
For emerging musicians and music entrepreneurs, Bradford Producing Hub’s ‘Amplify’, led by Henna Angus, has focused on building confidence and increasing visibility.
Amplify provides tailored development opportunities, while opening up conversations about barriers facing local creatives, including limited access to funding, performances, visibility and professional development. “It has opened my eyes to just how much talent exists locally,” says Henna. With applications increasing each year, the programme highlights both the demand for support and the depth of underrepresented talent in the district.
10 Minute tales at Connecting Culture conference for THE BRADFORD WAY. Image credit Tim Smith
What emerges from these initiatives is not just a continuation of Bradford 2025, but quite evidently, an evolution of it. From national partnerships with the BBC to grassroots development programmes and sustained investment in infrastructure, the city’s cultural momentum is being actively carried forward. And in the case of The Bradford Way, a shift towards a more connected and resilient cultural ecosystem has begun.
As Bradford moves beyond its year in the spotlight, it is not simply maintaining energy but building on it, creating the conditions for artists, organisations and communities to thrive well into the future.
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For up-to-date information about Bradford Culture Company’s latest projects visit their website or Instagram.
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