A resource for those developing Years of Culture and similar cultural programmes.
The Primer brings together the wealth of learning that emerged from the various Years of Culture programmes that took place across West Yorkshire between 2023 and 2025.
The purpose is to make this learning widely available – both for those already involved in West Yorkshire’s cultural programmes and for those developing similar work, locally, regionally, and nationally.
”We see this Primer as a practical resource to support future thinking and discussion
Jim Hinks, Head of Culture, Heritage & Sport Policy, West Yorkshire Combined AuthorityFrom the Foreword to the Primer
Our intention is to distil the insights that emerged specifically from the Years of Culture programmes and from working within local authority structures in West Yorkshire.
These include:
The guidance shared in the document does not replace the need for more in-depth training, sector development, or long-term capacity building.
Rather, it can act as a shared reference point to inform future workforce development, support programmes, and region-wide strategies.
”Years of Culture are often judged by what happens during the year. Their real legacy is built before it begins and revealed long after it ends.
Dr Ruth Melville, Julia Payne & James Gough (Primer authors)From "What Years of Culture can teach us about lasting change", Arts Professional (8 July 2026)
The Primer is useful for anyone involved in the development or delivery of medium or large-scale cultural programmes designed to enhance culture across a town or district.
To help you get the most from it, we’ve organised the learning into different themes.
In each theme, you’ll find:
If you’re pushed for time, you may want to head to the theme that’s directly relevant to your role.
If you need a strategic overview or want to understand some other things your colleagues might be grappling with, you’ll hopefully find valuable insights across the whole Primer.
Massive thanks are due to the hundreds of people from across West Yorkshire’s cultural sector – from producers to CEOs, local authority officers to FOH staff – who took part in the workshops, open space events and action learning sets we convened. Their openness and willingness to share their learning was so inspiring.
If you’d like to know more about the Primer, please email ben@rmresearch.uk
Fill in the form to get the Primer download link.
