A new competition is inviting Yorkshire’s young people to come up with an advert to welcome people back to the city of Leeds once lockdown measures are lifted.
The Welcome Back Project has been developed by creative agency McCann Leeds in collaboration with the Ahead Partnership, with support from Leeds City Council, Channel 4 and the University of Leeds.
Open to those aged 11 to 19, the competition invites entrants to come up with an idea for an advert – a poster, poem or video – which welcomes people back to the city. The winning work will be displayed around Leeds City Centre, including in Millennium Square, for visitors to potentially see over the summer months once restrictions have been lifted.
Gavin Shore, Executive Creative Director at McCann Leeds and head judge of the Welcome Back Project, said: “We’re firm believers in creativity as a catalyst for change and believe this is an opportunity to give young people a voice as well as bring people back together, once we are permitted to.
“The last two months have been tough, no doubt. But we have all witnessed the kindness, optimism and steely spirit of the city’s people. And it’s this positivity that we want to see celebrated in the winning work.
“Our brief is therefore simple – we’re looking for people to design an advert welcoming people back into the city of Leeds when lockdown is lifted. This could be a poster, a painting, a poem or even a video. It should be as if you are the city speaking to the people who are returning back to work or school after this is over. It should be positive and welcoming. Most importantly it should make people smile and celebrate togetherness and unity.”
The competition has been launched in association with the Ahead Partnership, and will be judged by a panel that includes Councillor Judith Blake CBE, Leader of Leeds City Council, and Kevin Blacoe, Head of Partnerships, Channel 4.
The competition is now open for entries and closes on June 12th.
