The Arts

The Keith Howard Foundation is proud to support projects in the area of The Arts

Photo: Brian Slater

Below are examples of funding projects that we are supporting or have supported in the past. We will add more projects on a continued basis.

Leeds Heritage Theatres

KHF are proud to fund a number of bursary places for Youth Theatre members, removing financial barriers to arts engagement and making our work more accessible. Members attend weekly skills workshops, to build confidence, explore their creativity and make new friends, as well as presenting a full professional show at City Varieties each year. 

Leeds Grand Youth Theatre

For over 14 years, the Keith Howard Foundation has been generously supporting several Leeds Heritage Theatres’ initiatives. One of the most valued aspects of this partnership is our Learning & Engagement programme, which works closely with communities across the Leeds region, providing around 10,000 engagement opportunities every year. Together, we are committed to providing access to arts for young people from all over the city and region. 

A representative from Leeds Heritage Theatres is supporting a school workshop

Credit: Christopher Werrett.

Children at Leeds Heritages Theatres

Leeds Heritage Theatres are now working with schools across 15 wards of the city. We support teachers and students in accessing theatre, exploring our venues and our stories, understanding how to pursue careers in the arts and creative industries, and bringing arts-based learning into their classrooms.  

Schools and Education

Northern Ballet

The Foundation has supported Northern Ballet for several years in various ways, below are examples of how the funding supports the company via their learning stream:

Northern Ballet are passionate about inclusion and believe dance can improve people’s health and wellbeing, no matter their age and ability.

Their projects include:

  • Ability - for adults with mild to moderate learning disabilities.

  • In Motion - for wheelchair users. 

  • Dance for Parkinson’s.

“Being able to dance releases so much of my pent-up emotion. In fact, a lot of that pent up emotion arises from the frustration of not being able to use my wheelchair to its full potential. Having the space in the Dance Studio to really be in control and to move freely, and in any direction, and at any speed is real bliss.” In Motion participant.

Images from Rise, Northern Ballets education project focusing on health and wellbeing in schools. Rise uses creative dance activities inspired by our productions to explore and improve pupils’ physical and mental wellbeing. These pictures feature pupils creating movement inspired by Merlin.

Children dancing in Northern Ballet' Rise education project

Rise Programme. Photo: Gavin Joynt.

Children participating in Northern Ballet' Rise Programme using creative dance activities.

Pupils participating in Northern Ballet's Rise programme. Photo: Gavin Joynt

Leeds Playhouse

“The Leeds Playhouse Young People’s Programme generates opportunities for children from 5 years to 19 years old to build confidence, communication skills, friendship groups and life-long theatre skills in a safe, supportive and fun environment.

Over 500 young people access the Playhouse every week both in the theatre building and Leeds Playhouse 2, home to our dedicated creative space for young people located on the first floor, thanks to the support we receive from the Keith Howard Foundation.”

The Leeds Playhouse Young People’s Programme

Leeds Playhouse, with help from the Keith Howard Foundation, works across Leeds and West Yorkshire and prioritises access for local young people from the wide, dynamic and diverse communities of our remarkable area. 

The Keith Howard Foundation supports Leeds Playhouse, which works across Leeds and West Yorkshire giving opportunities for local young people from wide and diverse communities to learn life-long theatre skills, build confidence and friendships.

Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre RJC Group in Positive Stories for Negative Times. Photo: Vicky Matthers.

Support from The Keith Howard Foundations is giving over 500 young people access to the Playhouse every week.

Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre 5-10's in Positive Stories for Negative Times. Photo: Vicky Matthers.

The Playhouse Buzz programme relies on support from the Keith Howard Foundation and works with young people with learning difficulties who engage in projects that support their development, education and communication skills. Buzz creates a safe, friendly environment for young people to socialise and learn together. 

The Playhouse Buzz Programme

The Playhouse Buzz programme relies on support from The Keith Howard foundation. The programme works with young people with learning difficulties. They engage in projects supporting their development, education and communication skills.

 Buzz Fun-Fridays. Photo: Les Parkinson. 

Members of Leeds Playhouse Young Company – which is supported by the Keith Howard Foundation – took on key roles in the 2019 Christmas production of ‘Wizard of Oz’ and gained experience in a professional production and performing to sold out audiences. 

Leeds Playhouse Young Company

The Keith Howard Foundation supports Leeds Playhouse Young Company from which members took on key roles in the professional 2019 Christmas production of Wizard of Oz

Agatha Meehan (Dorothy) and the young ensemble in ‘The Wizard of Oz”. Photo: The Other Richard.