Date: 31/12/05
Source: Yorkshire Post
Author: Andy Carver
ARTS
2006 will be a great year for the arts in Yorkshire. The highlight will be the opening of the spectacular permanent installation by James Turrell at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. It will make the Sculpture Park the world's foremost contemporary sculpture venue.
Meanwhile, down the road, the cranes will move in to start work on the Barbara Hepworth Gallery, transforming the Wakefield waterfront with a stunning contemporary exhibition space.
The region's theatres will continue to sweep up awards, with West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, and Sheffield's Crucible, under exciting young director Sam West, leading the way.
2006 will also be the year that the incredible diversity in Yorkshire's communities will make its mark on the arts, with black and Asian artists and organisations making a major impact on the arts landscape.
Oh… and, of course, Sheffield's Arctic Monkeys will be the biggest band of the year, winning several Brit awards and the Mercury Music Prize as they take the world by storm.
Andy Carver is executive director of Arts Council England, Yorkshire
