Category Archives: Arts and culture

Calderdale Council has thanked local residents for their kindness in offering their homes to people fleeing Ukraine, at a special event in Halifax. Thanks to the generosity of Calderdale people, more than 200 Ukrainian refugees have arrived in the borough and are living safely in their hosts’ homes. Just over a year on from the… read more … about Calderdale residents thanked for supporting Ukrainian families>>

Musicians playing at the Homes for Ukraine event

Plans to improve the facilities and visitor experience at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax are moving forward, with planning approval granted and a contractor for the works due to be appointed this autumn. The Victoria Theatre is an impressive Grade II listed building in Halifax town centre, and one of the top events venues in… read more … about Stage is set for theatre improvements>>

Victoria Theatre, Halifax

Ahead of Calderdale’s Year of Culture in 2024, people are encouraged to bring the borough’s distinctive features to life by creating artwork that could go on display in a local gallery. Calderdale Council has launched its Open Art competition and is calling for entries from professional and amateur artists. The winning pieces of artwork will… read more … about Council opens up opportunities for creativity>>

Calderdale Open Art logo

Visitors to Bankfield Museum, Halifax, can take a trip back to the Swinging Sixties with the first of a series of special live events exploring fashions throughout history. Bankfield Museum is currently hosting the ‘Opening the Wardrobe’ exhibition on the top floor of the museum, showcasing the unique collection of dress historian and author Lucy… read more … about Event celebrates the iconic fashions of the 1960s>>

Blue chiffon 1960s dress

The fascinating life of world-famous Anne Lister biographer, Helena Whitbread, is being showcased as part of a new, exclusive film. As part of celebrations for the anniversary of Anne Lister’s birth, on 3 April, Calderdale Council premiered the new documentary about Helena, which delves into the fascinating work of the renowned historian, who decoded Anne… read more … about New film showcases the inspirational life of Anne Lister historian, Helena Whitbread>>

Helena Whitbread being interviewed at Shibden Hall

The incredible legacy of Anne Lister has inspired a series of performances which are taking place as part of the Anne Lister Birthday Festival. The famous landowner, entrepreneur, mountaineer, scholar, traveller, and lesbian, Anne Lister was born in Halifax on 3 April 1791. To celebrate the anniversary of her birth, Calderdale Council is supporting a… read more … about Anne Lister’s story inspires new performance works>>

College students learn about Anne Lister

The style, function and symbolism of headwear in British society is being explored in a new exhibition at Bankfield Museum, near Halifax, celebrating all things hat. ‘A hat for all seasons’ launches on Saturday 11 March 2023 and will feature a range of hats from the Bankfield Museum collection. The varied styles and designs on… read more … about New exhibition showcases a hat for all seasons>>

Bankfield hat

The top floor at Bankfield Museum, near Halifax, is being transformed to house the unique collection of dress historian and author Lucy Adlington, as part of a year-long residency. From Saturday 4 February, the museum’s new exhibition, ‘Opening the wardrobe’ will celebrate women’s clothes and the stories they tell. This is an exclusive glimpse into… read more … about ‘Opening the wardrobe’ to a world of fashion>>

Blue chiffon 1960s dress

Over £1 million of Arts Council England funding is coming into Calderdale each year between 2023 and 2026, to make the borough’s distinctive culture shine even brighter. Five of Calderdale’s cultural organisations will benefit from three years of funding from Arts Council England, after it announced details of its new national portfolio of funded organisations… read more … about Culture at the heart of Calderdale>>