Career pathways
Develop skills and find out if a creative career is for you. Opportunities include volunteering, work experience, placements and training. If you’re a teacher, get in touch with us via learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com.
Progress our story
Leeds Heritage Theatres is not just about our city’s rich past or our lively present; it’s about our future and inspiring the next generation of audiences, artists and professionals.
We are committed to having a team of staff and volunteers that represent the people of Leeds, and the future of our theatres.
We are working to develop accessible and inclusive pathways into our evolving industry, through our Learning and Engagement programme and more opportunities across the organisation.
Work experience
Our established work experience offers an excellent way for young people to deepen their understanding of the wide range of jobs in our industry. Through direct learning with employees, students will gain knowledge of skills needed in the sector, as well as the motivation and confidence to pursue a creative career.
For Year 10 students, we offer a project-based group placement in which up to 15 students can go behind the scenes and explore different departments across our organisation, while working in teams on a project brief.
Please note our fee for 5 days placement for 15 students is £1200 for 2027 (which works out at just £80 per student for the whole week). Bookings are now open for next year so get in touch to secure your place for your students, as placements are subject to availability.
Download and read our work experience report from our pilot in 2023 to see the goals and outcomes of our project and to learn how you can get involved. Please email learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com to enquire.
“I have become more confident with applying for a job [and] I know how to go into an interview” – Year 10 Student
“It was amazing to see the students in a working environment demonstrating the skills they had developed” – Careers lead
“Being able to introduce the next generation to the technical side of theatre is a real benefit” – Senior technician
Volunteering
Leeds Heritage Theatres could not operate without the help of our enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers.
Not only is it a great way to meet people, experience something new, share your knowledge and passion, and develop additional skills but you’ll help ensure every audience member – especially those needing extra assistance – feels comfortable and supported throughout their visit.
Does this sound like something that you’d be interested in? Then read more by clicking on the link below.
Digital resources
Developed between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the Grand Futures Leeds Arts Network, this in-depth careers resource is FREE for schools to access, download and deliver in the classroom.
Featuring interviews with industry professionals and based on Northern Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet or Opera North’s Hansel and Gretel, the resource aims to increase young people’s understanding of the arts and provide opportunities to develop skills required by the industry. Alternatively, find digital drop-in videos below, designed to help teachers explore performance-related skills in the classroom.
Careers in the arts
Get started
Grand Futures
Chaired by Leeds Heritage Theatres, Grand Futures Leeds Arts Network brings together arts heritage and education organisations from across Leeds.
Established in 2014, the network aims to increase young people’s awareness of organisations and job roles in the creative sector, increase paid and voluntary training opportunities to support the diversification of the workforce and create a more agile approach to work experience, placements and volunteering.
As part of these aims, Grand Futures partners offer a collaborative work experience week called the Cultural Exchange, in which a group of Year 10 students spend a week across different cultural and creative venues in Leeds. Watch our trailer for the programme below and get in touch to find out more about getting your school involved.
Terms of Reference: Read more about the purpose of the network, its collective responsibilities and aims and what it means to be a member by clicking on this link.
Grand Futures Partners
Leeds Heritage Theatres Learning and Engagement Fund
Every year, we work with over 10,000 young people across the city, in schools, youth groups and other sessions to help them build skills, confidence and pride through our creative learning and engagement programme. All donations to this fund will help us to continue our work and reach more people across the Leeds City Region.