Keighley-based artist and producer Shanaz Gulzar has been appointed as Chair of Bradford's application to become UK City of Culture in 2025.
She takes over from interim chair Mary Dowson.
Born, raised and living in Keighley, Shanaz Gulzar’s career spans film, visual arts, theatre, public art and media. Established nationally as an artist, Shanaz is also a producer at Manchester International Festival and in 2019 brought a contemporary artist’s perspective to the Yorkshire landscape for BBC television programme ‘Yorkshire Walks’. Also for BBC television, Shanaz presented the documentary film ‘Hidden Histories: The Lost Portraits of Bradford’.
Shanaz has worked extensively for many years across Yorkshire, including for Bite the Mango Film Festival, Illuminate, Bradford City Parks, Impressions Gallery, Moti Roti, Yorkshire Film Archive, in a co-practice as Adept and an ambassador for the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.
As Chair of Bradford 2025, Shanaz will lead the board and the organisation throughout the bidding process, as well as helping to develop the project's strategic vision, mission, objectives and values. Shanaz will be a key ambassador for the city, championing Bradford at cultural events, press briefings and business events across the country in the run up to the announcement of the winning city.
Bradford Council chief executive Kersten England tweeted: "Brilliant appointment - welcome Shanaz Gulzar! Really looking forward to you and landing the bid for Bradford 2025. Huge thanks also to Mary Dowson who has built such strong foundations for us."
Four further appointments to the Bradford 2025 Board also have been made:
Adeeba Malik CBE, deputy chief executive of the QED Foundation who was awarded the MBE for her work with ethnic minorities and businesses and the CBE for services to community cohesion.
Sabbiyah Pervez, Communities Reporter, BBC Look North and a passionate feminist and advocate for young people. She won the Rising Star in Media award at the British Muslim Awards in January 2018.
Brendan Brown, Chief Executive – Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. He is the Senior Responsible Officer for work-force across the Bradford and Airedale place, and for the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership Board.
Richard Emmott, Yorkshire Water, Director of Corporate Affairs.
Brilliant appointment - welcome @ShanazGulzar ! Really looking forward to working with you and landing the bid for #Bradford2025 Huge thanks also to @MaryDowson who has built such strong foundations for us. https://t.co/skAZgXdSxN
— K England CBE 💙 (@kersten_england) September 14, 2020
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