Arts executive given birthday present with a difference
An artistic and creative director received a birthday present with a difference – an honorary award from the University where she studied.
Kully Thiarai, who has led a number of arts organisations during her career, including as Creative Director and Chief Executive of Leeds 2023, has received an honorary award from the University of Bradford, where she was previously a student. She has been made a Doctor of Letters at the University ‘in recognition of her outstanding career and dedication to increasing diversity and inclusion within the arts.’
Kully, who received the award on 2 December – her 62nd birthday, said: “I feel hugely honoured to receive this award.
“At school in Smethwick we were largely considered to be ‘factory fodder’. Not much was expected of us academically and so going to University didn’t seem achievable especially for a young Indian girl like me.
“Getting a place at the University of Bradford was a huge achievement and it was a truly transformative experience for me. So, receiving this Honorary Degree of Doctor of Letters feels particularly poignant and momentous. It feels a particularly wonderful gift on my birthday.”
Kully Thiarai was given an honorary award by the University of Bradford on her birthday. Images credit: University of Bradford
Who is Kully Thiarai?
During her 30-year career, Kully has commissioned, produced and directed work nationally and internationally.
She has created a diverse range of work that spans communities, cultures and performance styles, including new plays, and created work for non-theatres spaces.
Kully was Creative Director and CEO of LEEDS 2023, delivering a Year of Culture for Leeds, which featured more than 1,700 events as part of a £24 million programme.
She has led a range of organisations as Artistic Director and Chief Executive including National Theatre Wales, Leicester Haymarket Theatre, Theatre Writing Partnership and Red Ladder Theatre Company as well as working as an independent theatre maker and arts consultant.
She was the founding Director of Cast, opening the £22m performing arts centre in Doncaster, as the cultural living room in a town that had some of the lowest levels of arts engagement in the country. She created the artistic vision for Contact Theatre in Manchester with young people at its core.
Kully is currently Chair of Paines Plough, Without Walls, and Co-Chair of Slung Low. She is a trustee of The Arts Foundation and National Theatre Scotland and Honorary Fellow of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and sits on the Mayor’s Business Board for West Yorkshire Combined Authority. She won the inaugural Northern Asian Power list Cultural Icon Award in 2020.
Former student
Kully first became involved in the performing arts through the University of Bradford’s on campus arts organisation, Theatre in The Mill, under the then leadership of Ruth Mackenzie. Kully studied BA (Hons) Applied Social Studies with a Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW) at Bradford.
‘Remain curious and interested’
Kully had this advice for her fellow graduates: “Enjoy all the learning and the experiences that life offers up.
“Life is never a linear process and the ability to remain curious and interested will open up all sorts of possibilities for you if you let it.”