About us
Arts Together is a growing network of arts and community partners who are working together to help shape, diversify and improve the arts offer in Leeds.
Our activities include:
- Coming together regularly to network, share ideas and expertise, support one another and discuss good practice.
- Creating a bimonthly newsletter with contributions from network members, sharing news, opportunities and events across the network.
We believe that engaging in the arts can be enjoyable, inspiring, illuminating and even life changing, and that by working together we can have a positive impact on people living in Leeds and beyond.
Arts Together was previously funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. It is now funded by Leeds City Council and managed by Opera North. Listings are provided by contributions from our members and Leeds Inspired.
If you would like more information about Arts Together, please email [email protected].
Meet the Team
Jo Bedford
Arts Together is a culturally exciting network that brings together arts and communities organisations from across Leeds. I’m so excited to see how the network can grow together and continue to advocate that art and creativity is for everyone.
I’m keen to meet, chat and learn from our city and those doing the brilliant work so if you have an idea, support or just want to meet for a cuppa, then drop me an email.
I also would love keep growing the network, so if you’re interested, get in touch to find our how to become a partner and receive our newsletter.
Zena Malone
As part of the community engagement team at Opera North, I am passionate about instigating community cohesion through the arts. We have a vital role to play, as network facilitators, in enabling connection, collaboration and advocacy between network members and across the vaious art forms. Our Safer Spaces agreement ensures that all members’ ideas and voices are heard and valued equally, as we unite in a common goal, to ensure that everyone, regardless of circumstance, can access, enjoy and benefit from the fantastic range of events and opportunities the city has to offer.
Safer Spaces agreement
The Arts Together Network members have agreed to work to the following set of shared
values:
Everyone’s responsibilities
- Be respectful and considerate by listening to what people say and showing a sensitivity to their views.
- Attend meetings with a sense of curiosity, willing to explore ideas that are different to your own and being open to change.
- Respect everyone’s right to speak and be aware if you have spoken a lot by giving an opportunity for others to express themselves.
- Avoid using acronyms and terms that people won’t understand, jargon-busting where necessary.
- Be kind, supportive and welcoming to everyone.
- Be an accessible person by being aware of and acting in accordance with people’s needs
- Engage in the meetings on your own terms either by contributing to the conversations or reflecting on the discussions
- Not being scared to ask if you don’t understand something
- Be aware of people’s wellbeing and don’t be afraid to ask if someone is ok.
- Ensure confidentiality is maintained
Arts Together Network team and hosts responsibilities
- Provide a warm welcome
- Encourage all voices by ensuring everyone who wants to be heard is able to express themselves
- Ensure access to the meeting space is made clear
- Connect the dots of the conversation
- Make sure that everyone who wants to access the meeting but isn’t able to attend is able to do in other ways
- Ensure systems such as safeguarding etc. are in place
- Provide clear and timely notifications for the meetings (i.e. time, venue, content) and any expectations of participants.
- Provide a supportive, learning environment
