Leeds is widely renowned for being the UK’s largest business, legal and financial hub outside of London. One aspect of Yorkshire’s largest city that is often overlooked however is its contribution to culture and the arts, with music, dance and theatre all playing an important part in the lives of the people of Yorkshire.
Leeds is home to some of the country’s most renowned arts organisations, including Opera North based at the Grand Theatre, and both the Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance, based at their new, custom-built dance theatre on Quarry Hill – the largest space for Dance in the UK outside of London.
The Great Hall at the University of Leeds
The city also plays host to a number of major festivals and cultural events, including the Leeds Festival, Leeds Carnival, Leeds International Film Festival and Leeds International Concert Season – the largest local authority music programme in the UK (and of course not to mention the Leeds International Piano Competition!)
Leeds Town Hall at Night
The architecture of Leeds owes a great deal to 19th century architect Cuthbert Brodrick, who was responsible for the Corn Exchange, the Mechanics Institute (which is now Leeds City Museum) and his greatest achievement – Leeds Town Hall. Located at the heart of the city, this colossal structure contains the exquisite Victoria Hall, Leeds’s main concert venue and historically speaking the finals of the Competition ever since 1963.