By KLTV Newsdesk –

The grassroots music venue AMPED in Huddersfield buzzed with energy last week as the Culture Collective hosted their end-of-year event, “The Value of Culture.”

Bringing together artists, organisations, and academics, the afternoon was a powerful demonstration of the Collective’s core purpose: to represent and advocate for the cultural sector in Kirklees.

The Culture Collective represents over 80 arts organisations, creative businesses and local artists from across Kirklees.

The group aims to:

• Bridge the gap between cultural organisations, the local authority and other key policy makers, funders and governing bodies

• Provide opportunity for discussion, building relationships, collaboration and collective action around sector-specific and place-based priorities

• Work to increase representation within the sector

• Share knowledge and information among collective members to help everyone grow and develop within the local arts scene.

The Children’s Art School showcased one of their many engaging activities for attendees to try out.

Bridging the Gap

While the event served as a celebration of local talent, it was fundamentally about the Collective’s mission to bridge the gap between cultural organisations, the local authority, and key policymakers.

By providing this opportunity for discussion, the group aimed to foster the relationships and collaboration necessary for collective action on place-based priorities.

This spirit of knowledge-sharing was evident from the start. The venue transformed into a vibrant marketplace where Spirul presented findings from their latest impact report, visualising data on maps and screens.

This crucial sharing of information reinforced the Collective’s goal of increasing representation within the sector and ensuring that future funding decision-making is evidence-based and locally targeted.

Spirul, a Holmfirth-based market Research organisation, presented a range of fascinating insights on how the creative arts engages communities locally

A Showcase of Local Talent

The stalls balanced serious industry analysis with the joy of creation. Iain Bloomfield, Executive Director of Dark Horse Theatre, engaged visitors on the tangible value of cultural activities, while Hoot Creative Arts offered an interactive music-making session with Rob Crisp.

The Children’s Art School provided a whimsical touch, keeping “fidgety fingers” busy with paper bag mask-making, whilst many more stalls showcase the breadth of talent and creativity in Kirklees.

Natalie Walton, Co-Founder of Hatch and Director of the Woven in Kirklees Festival, with the Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Liz Smaje

The event saw a great turnout with over 100 people from all across the creative sector in attendance throughout the afternoon.

Distinguished guests such as the Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Liz Samje, and Huddersfield’s MP Harpreet Uppal, were also in attendance to see firsthand the level of creativity on show from across the borough.

Rebecca Dash, Chief Executive of the Lawrence Batley Theatre (Left), Dr Chloe Whitehead, CEO of Proper Job Theatre Co. (Centre) and Harpreet Uppal, MP of Huddersfield (Right)

The Critical Conversation

Later in the afternoon, the focus shifted to the main stage for presentations hosted by Dr Chloe Whitehead, CEO of Proper Job Theatre Co.

Christopher Morgan, Chief Editor at Kirklees Local Television and Michelle Hodgson, Festival Director of the Huddersfield Literature Festival, presented case studies on their respective organisations, whilst Professor Rowan Bailey, from the Centre for Cultural Ecologies in Art, Design and Architecture at the University of Huddersfield, highlighted the intersection of film and creative health.

Christopher Morgan, Chief Editor at Kirklees Local TV, interviews Mayor of Kirklees, Cllr Liz Smaje

Iain Bloomfield presented the ‘keynote’ presentation of the afternoon, discussing many of the challenges faced by the creative sector over the last 10-15 years.

It’s no secret that it has gotten more difficult for lots of industries to sustain themselves over the years, least of all the creative sector.

As Iain shared in his report: “Since 2010, funding from local government for the arts has reduced by 48%.

“[They] used to be one of the biggest funders of local arts in this country. That is no longer the case.

“No blame on anyone, everyone has been thrown curveballs left, right and centre, but it’s been difficult.

“Kirklees’s local authority still supports where it can, but there has also been a 700% increase in bids to charities.”

The data and stories shared made it undeniably clear that the creative sector is not just a luxury; it is a vital engine for economic growth and community well-being.

Iain Bloomfield, Executive Director of Dark Horse Theatre, presents some of the challenges the creative arts sector is facing

Bringing Communities Together

The event concluded with a shared song led by Rob from Hoot Creative Arts. Having spoken with attendees throughout the day, Rob had created a brand-new song all about the Kirklees Creative Arts Scene.

Jolene Rae-Walsh, Founder of Huddersfield on Tour, and Rob Crisp, Musician and Artist with Hoot Creative Arts, perform at the event

Speaking about the event, Michelle Hodgson, Festival Director, Huddersfield Literature Festival, said: “The Value of Culture was a lively, creative and packed-out event, with many local organisations and Culture Collective members represented.

“It was great to have the opportunity to present a case study about the HuddLitFest Schools Programme and to hear ideas about the impact our sector has and the challenges it faces. An excellent event all round!”

Michelle Hodgson, Festival Director of the Huddersfield Literature Festival, presented a recent case study focused on education

Rowan Bailey, Centre for Cultural Ecologies in Art, Design and Architecture, University of Huddersfield, added: “The Culture Collective event was a fantastic demonstration of collaborative energy and shared enthusiasm.

“It opened up rich opportunities to explore new ways of working together and to shape future actions for place-based cultural development in Kirklees”.

Professor Rowan Bailey presented the ongoing work of Cultures of… Including their upcoming Exhibition, ‘Stories in Motion’

Dr Milton Brown, CEO of Kirklees Local Television, said: “The Culture Collective event at The Amped was fantastic!

“In just a few hours, we didn’t just see the strength of Kirklees’ cultural sector; everyone who attended contributed, we felt its energy, and witnessed its creativity firsthand.

“An inspiring showcase of Kirklees’ Cultural sector. Keep up the fantastic work”.

Dr Milton Brown, CEO of Kirklees Local Television, and the team from KLTV, captured highlights and interviews from the event

It was a fitting end to a day that proved that when the sector comes together to share knowledge and bridge the gap with policymakers, Kirklees is stronger for it.

Keep an eye out for our video coverage, featuring highlights and interviews with all the creatives mentioned, coming soon to Kirklees Local TV.

In the meantime, check out more photos from the event below!