Culture Collective is a forum for individuals and organisations that promote the arts in the metropolitan district of Kirklees. Kirklees is a massive borough stretching from Saddleworth Moor on the Greater Manchester border to Spen on the outskirts of Leeds. It is diverse geographically, economically and socially with busy industrial towns, picturesque villages, wide open spaces and a population from all parts of the world.
I first learned about Culture Collective a year ago when I attended an event that it had organised for the Huddersfield Literary Festival in the forecourt of the Lawrence Batley Theatre (see Culture Collective at Huddersfield Literature Festival 18 May 2025). I was impressed and asked Dr Chloe Whitehead of The Proper Job Theatre Company whether and, if so, how. I could join in. She invited me to the next quarterly meeting of the Collective at the Lawrence Batley Theatre. Except for one occasion when I had a puncture, I have attended every one since.
Chloe discusses Culture Collective and its work in a YouTube interview with Dr Milton Brown of Kirklees Local TV. Milton is a prominent member of Culture Collective and many other organisations, as well as a director of the TV company. In his interview with Chloe, he discusses Proper Job Theatre Company, the growth of Culture Collective, its activities at the time of the interview, Chloe's plans for its development and information on how to get involved. Culture Collective keeps a blog and a diary of events. Today, for example, there are talks by Simon Armitage, the Poet Laureate, and crime writer, Val McDermid.
Attendees at quarterly meetings include representatives from the local authority, Huddersfield University and promoters of all kinds of projects in the arts. As I mentioned in my previous article, I offered the Collective my skills and experience as an intellectual property lawyer and my knowledge of classical dance and connections with local, national and international ballet companies.
In addition to sharing my monthly IP and tech law newsletter with members, I provide pro bono initial advice and signposting. That would cover reviewing contracts, standard terms and conditions and correspondence and advising on legal protection of branding, designs, technology and artistic and literary works. I can't register trade marks or other intellectual property rights on that basis, but I can suggest patent or trade mark attorneys and other professionals with whom I have worked satisfactorily in the past and make introductions.
As for dance, I founded and ran an amateur ballet company, I attended its company class and Northern Ballet's Over 55 Class regularly until recently, I reviewed performances and wrote about dance, and I remain a Friend of several of the world's leading companies.
Anyone wishing to discuss this article or learn more about Culture Collective can call me on 020 7404 5252 during UK office hours or send me a message through my contact page.
