Steering group aim to clinch City of Culture 2023 title
As Leeds’ bid for the European Capital of Culture 2023 begins to take shape, a local university vice-chancellor says he is ‘honoured’ to be a part of the city’s official steering group.
Professor Mohammad Dastbaz, Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology at Leeds Beckett, is one member of the 14-strong panel tasked with earning Leeds the prestigious title.
Following the group’s first meeting last week, he says the task ahead is a challenging one but is excited about the city’s potential.
“The decision by the City Council to put forward a bid for Leeds to be the Capital Culture of Europe in 2023 will provide the city with a unique opportunity to develop a new vision for its future, and to generate significant cultural, social and economic benefits,” he said.
“Our University has been working closely with Leeds City Council during the past 12 months and as a major educational provider for the Arts and Culture in the city.
“With over 3,000 students on Arts and Culture courses and hundreds of academic and research staff in related areas, we will work very hard with other organisations and institutions across our region to make sure we have a successful outcome.”
He added: “I am very pleased and honoured to be selected and to be part of the Steering Group and look forward to contributing to the exciting, and at the same time challenging, task we have ahead of us.”
The panel was appointed following a city-wide call to action which saw hundreds of people apply for places.
