Bradford 2025
Winning #CityofCulture2025 is a real game changer for Bradford - it will breathe new life into the city and inject a huge boost of confidence into our strong and diverse cultural sector.
Supporting and contributing to the cultural sector in Bradford is already a key priority for the University. On campus, Theatre in the Mill hosts a diverse schedule of events and activities throughout the year and is also the lead partner on the Bradford Producing Hub. Across the University, we have a wealth of experience and expertise which we are keen to utilise in our role as a key partner #CityofCulture2025.
The University's vision is a world of inclusion and equality of opportunity for all. The partnership between the University and Bradford 2025 is a fantastic example of how we can achieve this vision, engaging our communities and creating opportunities for the people that live here.
We are thrilled that Bradford has been named City of Culture 2025. Our compelling bid generated an enormous amount of energy and support, and thoroughly deserved to be recognised by the judges. The City of Culture designation will benefit people across the district, including our community of students and staff, giving them access to a rich and diverse programme of culture and thought-provoking ideas. We are excited to continue our work supporting the Bradford 2025 team in the events that lead up to a truly vibrant year in 2025.Shirley Congdon, University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor
Eleanor Clyde-Evans
Associate Director (Engagement, Alumni & Development)
"Bradford 2025 is just what the city needs, a burst of energy and recognition for what we are good at. It will give a voice to communities whose cultures are often not heard. It gives the university and our student body a fantastic opportunity to offer our knowledge, practice and connections to this transformational movement. It is truly our time."
Udy Archibong
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion)
“Bradford is ready for this. Progressive social reform has been a consistent theme for Bradford’s development for many decades. I’m excited at the potential to work together across all sectors, in every district, to tackle the challenges and inequalities and to hear the voices of everyone who lives here. Culturally we couldn’t be richer and it’s time for us to show the rest of the world what makes this young, diverse district so special.”
Hannah Ward
Senior Corporate Engagement Officer
"I am really excited about Bradford 2025. The buzz and excitement around the bid and how it is providing opportunities to engage different communities, including our students, is giving us a taste of how great it would be if Bradford won it. Bradford 2025 will be great for the City, bringing opportunities for everyone to take part in a programme of events, activities and experiences that celebrate Bradford, our diverse communities and our future."
Zahir Irani
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic, Innovation and Quality)
"I believe Bradford 2025 will bring significant benefits to the Bradford district and to the University as a whole. As our Cultural and Arts sector recovers from the pandemic, Bradford will face forward and pull together to demonstrate world class entrepreneurship, innovation and ambition to ensure we bounce forward with vigour. We will see new jobs created and a real boost to our local economy with a positive impact on local residents and businesses, and enhanced investment into the city and district of Bradford. Our unique vibrancy will be showcased to the world and attract even more people in pursuit of studying and engaging with us, and to enjoy the beauty of our region."
Marcus Rattray
Professor of Pharmacology and Academic Lead for the Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research
“I am delighted to be supporting the Bradford 2025 City of Culture bid as Research Convenor. A successful designation will not just attract more visitors to Bradford but encourage all of us to take part in, enjoy and celebrate arts, culture and creativity as part of our everyday lives. I have no doubts of the benefits the year will bring, particularly on health and wellbeing.”
Rich Warburton
Artistic Director, Theatre in the Mill
"The possibility of a successful Bradford 2025 City of Culture bid looms excitingly on the horizon and we are completely supportive and buzzing with the prospect of this exciting new venture. Bradford is so well placed to properly show off its creative chops to a wider audience. As many of you know, you can draw a straight line in any direction out of the city and dissect an incredible amount of new and exciting creative talent and energy. We hope the bid galvanises creatives, audiences and residents of Bradford and we can’t wait to get on board championing and advocating for the bid."
Stuart Mckinnon-Evans
Chief Finance Officer
"Bradford winning this bid would be a complete game changer for the district. When you look at what major cultural designations have done for other cities, such as Liverpool and Hull, where it kickstarted a huge renaissance and a boost in confidence and imagination among its people, I think it could be transformational for us."
Get in touch
To find out more about the bid please go to the Bradford 2025 webpage or if you are a University of Bradford alumni and want to know how to get involved please email us.