What’s Happening
News
January 16, 2025
Tony Tomlin: A Creative Legacy Lives On
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Tomlin on Christmas Eve, 2024.
January 16, 2025
Taiwanese Artist in Residence at Convention House
We’re thrilled to welcome Zhao Ruo Tong to stay at Convention House from February until April 2025 to explore their practice whilst exploring Leeds.
January 14, 2025
Dialogues with Past Heritages
We caught up with Linda Granfors following her recent residency at Convention House in October to hear reflections on her residency.
December 5, 2024
Memories, Imprints, Spaces
We sat down with James Thompson to hear his reflections two months on from his residency at the Treasure Hill...
October 17, 2024
First Impressions of an Artist in Residence
We caught up with artist in residence Linda Granfors, to learn more about her first impressions whilst exploring Leeds
October 1, 2024
October Artist Residency at Convention House
We’re excited to be joined by Finnish artist Linda Granfors throughout October as part of a new residency
August 5, 2024
Leeds Creative Labs: Reproductive Futures
Visual artist Herfa Martina Thompson and Law lecturer Dr Zoe Tongue shared their explorations into reproductive technologies and utopian futures.
June 19, 2024
Welcome to our new trustees
We’re thrilled to welcome two new trustees to our Board following a recent round of open recruitment.
June 18, 2024
Artist selected for Taipei Artist Village Residency
We're thrilled to announce Leeds-based artist James Thompson has been selected for a six-week residency at Treasure Hill Artist Village.
May 16, 2024
No Going Back: Exploring the archives
Here are some of our favourite images from last month’s No Going Back exhibition, for anyone who may have missed it.
May 13, 2024
Taqi Spateen’s To Be Or Not To Be
The internationally recognised Palestinian artist Taqi Spateen unveiled a new mural on the gable-end of Convention House on 16 May 2024.
April 25, 2024
Karen to appear on public sculpture championing women of Leeds
We’re thrilled that our co-founder Karen Watson is one of nearly 400 inspirational Leeds women being celebrated with a new sculpture in the city.
March 27, 2024
Leeds Creative Labs Follow On Fund recipients announced
Visual artist Herfa Martina Thompson and Law lecturer Dr Zoe Tongue are the recipients of the Leeds Creative Labs Follow-on Fund.
March 21, 2024
Listen to the Sounds of New Briggate
Our podcast series - hosted by local people, telling local stories - which celebrates New Briggate, a unique and vibrant high street in Leeds.
March 20, 2024
Mohammad Barrangi’s Last Dream
We worked with Leeds-based, Iranian-born artist Mohammad Barrangi to bring large-scale paper murals to Leeds from 28 March 2024.
March 13, 2024
Submit your publications to our exhibition and learning library
Do you make books or printed materials on artist-led housing, live/work spaces, civic practice or living archives? Contribute now!
March 12, 2024
No Going Back
A new exhibition exploring the role of art and artists in our cities and civic practice, through the lens of our East Street Arts archive.
March 7, 2024
Check-in at the Art Hostel: Snowstorm Collection by Nelson & Woodward
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms and spaces are.
February 15, 2024
New Briggate artworks call for a brighter, safer and queerer future
This LGBT+ History Month, performance artist and writer Harry Clayton-Wright shares a manifesto for a brighter, safer and queerer future.
February 14, 2024
Sarah Francis: Physical, Colourful, Tactile
We caught up with multi-disciplinary artist Sarah Francis to talk about how her work has developed a year on from her Convention House seed commission
February 8, 2024
Check-in at the Art Hostel: Living in a Wonderland by Mohammad Barrangi
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms and spaces are.
January 31, 2024
Mabgate, Lincoln Green & Burmantofts Neighbourhood Plan AGM 2024
It was wonderful to see everyone on Saturday in the Project Space at Patrick Studios for the Neighbourhood Forum Annual General Meeting.
January 24, 2024
MLGB Neighbourhood Forum: A New Era
After five years of developing and facilitating the MLGB Neighbourhood Forum, we're handing over to local residents to lead the forum into the future.
January 18, 2024
Check-in at the Art Hostel: The Woolly Ewe by Jesse Paul Wright
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms and spaces are. Next is Room 9, Jesse Paul Wright’s tactile The Woolly Ewe.
December 20, 2023
Check-in at the Art Hostel: The Common(ing) by Sarah Li, Edwin Li & Lady Kitt
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms and spaces are.
December 12, 2023
Yaku Stapleton: Envisaging New Briggate’s Tomorrow
Artist and fashion designer Yaku Stapleton presented Envisaging New Briggate's Tomorrow at 42 New Briggate from 6 to 10 December.
November 30, 2023
Netherlands Sharing: Communities & Resilience
It was lovely to get a glimpse into what our Netherlands-based residency artists have been up to during their stay with us at Friday's sharing event.
November 29, 2023
A Night at the Plaza: Exploring the History of the Plaza
Well, what a night! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the wonderful A Night at the Plaza with Harry Clayton-Wright.
November 20, 2023
The Do – 30 Years of East Street Arts
A few weeks ago we celebrated 30 years of East Street Arts with a good old knees up.
November 14, 2023
Check in at the Art Hostel: The Rainbow Lodge by ViDa
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms and spaces are. Next is Room 7, ViDa’s peaceful The Rainbow Lodge.
November 13, 2023
Three Netherlands-based artists join us for two-week residencies
This week, we welcome three Netherlands-based artists to Leeds for two-week residencies based in our art and tech hub, Convention House.
October 19, 2023
New Briggate’s hidden histories showcased at Light Night
Two installations inspired by New Briggate’s hidden histories illuminated St John’s Churchyard and 42 New Briggate for this year’s Light Night.
October 19, 2023
Check in at the Art Hostel: Ocean Galaxy by Mandy Barker
We’re checking in at the ArtHostel, highlighting the incredible rooms and spaces. Next is Room 6, Mandy Barker’s thought-provoking Ocean Galaxy.
October 3, 2023
Rhian Kempadoo-Millar’s Reflections of Carnival
Reflections of Carnival is a mural in Chapeltown created by artist and costume designer Rhian Kempadoo-Millar.
September 22, 2023
New Briggate alive with Carnival colour once again
On Saturday 16 September, we partnered with Leeds West Indian Carnival to bring a piece of the vibrant celebration back to Leeds city centre.
September 21, 2023
Check in at the Art Hostel: The Honeymoon Suite by Emma Bentley-Fox
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms are. Next is Room 5, Emma Bentley-Fox’s intimate The Honeymoon Suite.
September 20, 2023
Six Months On: Jui-Hung Ni and Sayang’s Artist Residency Exchange
After their recent exchange residencies in partnership with Platform Asia, we caught up with artists Jui-Hung Ni and Sayang.
September 14, 2023
Summer School 2023
In August, young people from the neighbourhood took part in our annual Summer School.
September 13, 2023
Mind the Gap: Designing residencies for everyone
Last week, Kate and Ajit attended the ACME-hosted Res Artis 2023 Mind the Gap conference. Read about their conference takeaways.
August 17, 2023
Julia McKinlay: Material Processes Mimicking Nature
We sat down with Julia McKinlay in her studio, at Patrick Studios.
August 3, 2023
Hidden in Plain Sight: Queer Leeds by Stuart Linden Rhodes
An exhibition of archive photographs documenting queer nightlife in Leeds by Stuart Linden Rhodes is being shown on New Briggate, for Pride month.
July 20, 2023
Check in at the Art Hostel: The Outside Inn by Precious Collective
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms and spaces are. Next is Room 4, Precious Collective's The Outside Inn.
June 22, 2023
Carnival designer selected to create new Chapeltown mural
We're thrilled to announce that visual artist and costume designer Rhian Kempadoo-Millar has been selected to design a new mural in Chapeltown.
June 8, 2023
Anita Kumari Appointed as Executive Director
We’re delighted to announce that Anita Kumari has been appointed to take up the role of Executive Director in July 2023 as Karen Watson retires.
May 30, 2023
Check in at the Art Hostel: It’s Up To You by Mary & Jiem
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms are. Next, we’re looking at Mary & Jiem’s 'It's Up To You'
May 18, 2023
Introducing the Leeds Creative Labs Partnerships
We’ve partnered with the University of Leeds’ Cultural Institute to produce this year’s Leeds Creative Labs.
April 17, 2023
Emma Bentley-Fox: Confessions of a Party Mom
We caught up with Emma Bentley-Fox ahead of her solo show, Confessions of a Party Mom which opens at Hyde Park Book Club on Tuesday 18 April.
April 13, 2023
Hive: Introducing Facilitators
Here are the incredible facilitators that will be supporting Hive, with sessions throughout the day.
April 13, 2023
Hive: Introducing the Programme
We’re thrilled to bring you the programme for Hive, our upcoming conference on how artist-led spaces can build a sustainable cultural ecology.
April 6, 2023
Studio Holders at the Leeds Artists Show
We’re delighted that a whole host of our brilliant East Street Arts studio holders and staff have been selected to exhibit in the Leeds Artists Show
April 5, 2023
Pick up a piece of art with your pint this Easter
This Easter, we’re flooding New Briggate with art in unusual places which you can take home for free!
March 30, 2023
Reflections of Carnival Mural
We’re working in partnership with Leeds West Indian Carnival and Leeds City Council to commission a mural reflecting the Carnival.
March 16, 2023
Check in at The Art Hostel: Ziggy Wingle by Alison Smith
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms and spaces are. We’re looking at Alison Smith’s incredible Ziggy Wingle.
March 9, 2023
Add Fuel’s Echoes
ECHOES is a mural by Portuguese artist Add Fuel, painted on the two-storey gable end of a former pub in Mabgate, Leeds.
February 28, 2023
Neighbourhood Plan: AGM Wrap Up
On Saturday 28 January, we welcomed in the new year with the Mabgate, Lincoln Green & Burmantofts Neighbourhood Forum AGM at The Anglers Club.
February 16, 2023
UK-Taiwan Artist Exchange Residency
We’re really excited to be taking part in a UK-Taiwan artis exchange with Jui-Hung Ni and Sayang, with Platform Asia and Taipei Artist Village.
February 9, 2023
Check In at the Art Hostel: Rooting by Sayang
We’re checking in at the Art Hostel, highlighting how incredible the rooms and spaces are. First up, we’re looking at room one – Rooting by Sayang.
January 18, 2023
It Had to Have a Legacy
Director and co-founder Karen Watson reflects on her time at East Street Arts ahead of her retirement in June.
December 31, 2022
Founding Directors Awarded MBEs
Karen Watson and Jon Wakeman, East Street Arts’ Founding Directors, have each been awarded a MBE by His Majesty The King in the New Year 2023 Honours.
November 16, 2022
East Street Arts secures NPO funding
East Street Arts has been successful in our application to continue as an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation. Hurrah!
August 22, 2022
Guild Residency July 2022
We invited our Guild cohort members to join us for conversation, activities and reflection, with discussions from guest speakers and facilitators, and
June 28, 2022
Convention House Residencies
As Convention House enters the next phase of its continual development, it prepares to house the next generation of artists...
May 26, 2022
Guild Conversations: Meeting Daisy James
We met up with Daisy James, a visual storyteller and co-founder of Lunchtime Practice, to discuss her commission for the 2021 Guild Conversations.
May 23, 2022
Guild Programme Gives Back £100,000 Seed Fund
12 artist-led spaces based across England are to receive over £100,000 in seed funding from East Street Arts.
February 23, 2022
A Transformed new Art Hostel will Open its Doors in Leeds This February
The new Art Hostel is opening in Mabgate, Leeds, in February 2022.
February 9, 2022
Leeds Echoes Podcast
Here at East Street Arts we are BIG fans of the popular Leeds-based podcast ‘Leeds Echoes’ created by Shaun Page (@Warehouse606).
February 1, 2022
Field Notes Two
Field is a conversational residency for those within the creative industry hosted by Two Destination Language.
January 27, 2022
LGBTQ+ Leeds United Fans to Have Mural in the City Painted by Renowned International Street Artist
Marching Out Together have secured internationally renowned street artist, Jay Gilleard.
January 10, 2022
Shifting Sands: England
Shifting Sands is a UK-wide project investigating graduate preparedness for work in the Contemporary Art sector and the challenges they face.
December 16, 2021
Radical Structures – Roundtable Event
How does society need to change to compassionately support artists and communities more meaningfully?
December 16, 2021
Radical Structures Interviews
A major element of Radical Structures is the question: ‘What do artists need to thrive?’
November 22, 2021
Benedetta D’ettorre Awarded with Best Paper in Creative Industries
PhD candidate Benedetta D’Ettorre was awarded 'Best Paper in Creative Industries Entrepreneurship' at the ISBE Conference in October.
November 22, 2021
Case Study: Keighley Arts Hub
Keighley Arts Hub is emerging as a popular grass roots community arts hub in the old Marks & Spencer building in the centre of Keighley
November 17, 2021
Regnant: An Interview with Xavier De Sousa
We met up with Xavier de Sousa, an independent performance maker and culture worker based between Brighton and Lisbon.
November 15, 2021
Artists to Breathe Life into History of Busy City Centre Street
East Street Arts is pleased to announce two artists have been selected as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone Programme.
October 27, 2021
Yaku Stapleton and Harry Clayton-Wright: Hidden High Street Artist Commissions
We are excited to announce we have commissioned new artists!
October 19, 2021
Karen Watson, Guild and keeping the doors open
The marketing team sat down with Karen Watson (Artistic Director of East Street Arts) for a cup of tea, some...
September 27, 2021
The Uncultured, Guild and Keeping the Doors Open
We (Laura and Ash) set up a collaborative approach to working, called The Uncultured, in 2020, right at the beginning of the pandemic.
September 22, 2021
OPEN DOORS: Survey
OPEN DOORS is a collaborative project between The Uncultured and East Street Arts as part of Guild. It is exploring...
September 1, 2021
Mabgate Conversations!
We’re pleased to let you that Leeds City Council has launched a public conversation about Mabgate!
August 26, 2021
Guild Conversations
We're excited to announce the second series of Guild Conversations, following the initial programme of events in 2020 as a direct response to Covid-19
August 26, 2021
Making the Unseen Seen: Artist Support Programmes
Today we announced the activity that makes up the Guild Programme 2021-2022, including a series of public events, two campaigns...
August 26, 2021
In Session
In Session FKA GRADJOB is a learning and ‘unprofessional’ contemporary art practice programme that focuses on the needs of early-career practitioners...
August 26, 2021
Guild and a-n
Three members of the Guild Cohort have been selected to lead events for a-n’s Assembly 2021 programme
August 26, 2021
Guild Campaigns and Research
Since the Guild programme began, it has partnered with national and international organisations to investigate and interrogate the artist-led sector.
August 26, 2021
Unique Discussion Series with Artist Support at its Core
Guild is East Street Arts’ sector support programme and has provided continued support for artists.
August 26, 2021
A Collaborative PhD Research Project
A Collaborative PhD Research Project by Benedetta D'Ettorre with East Street Arts
August 26, 2021
The Uncultured – OPEN DOORS
Guild are delighted to announce that The Uncultured will be collaborating with us on one of our flagship Guild Campaigns…
August 26, 2021
Space, Place and Networking in a digital world
Guild team member Kate has written a blog post on her experiences within the Guild programme, discussing space, place and working in a digital world…
August 17, 2021
Cbloxx’s Force of Nature
Force of Nature by Cbloxx represents and celebrates LGBTQ+ football fans and their relationship with football on and off the pitch.
August 9, 2021
Artists in Leeds Are Pioneering a New Neighbourhood Planning Model
This summer a unique and creative summer school will bring generations of people together.
June 24, 2021
A Study of Artist-Led Housing as a Critical Spatial Practice
Jon Orlek, a researcher who has been embedded within East Street Arts, has completed his PhD on artist-led housing.
June 24, 2021
Arts Fundraising and Philanthropy Fellowship
We are delighted to announce that our Business and Development Lead, Melody Walker has been selected.
June 1, 2021
Telling the Untold Stories: an interview with Kremena Dimitrova and Rosie Todd
Artists Kremena Dimitrova and Rosie Todd talk about the Untold Stories of Burmantofts and New Briggate, its challenges and legacy.
May 9, 2021
Stage is set for cultural programme celebrating proud heritage of New Briggate
Exciting plans have been announced for a major programme of cultural events and activities.
April 15, 2021
History of East Street Arts: 2009-2013
East Street Arts enters into a period of incredible and diverse activity.
April 15, 2021
History of East Street Arts: 2005-2008
With Patrick Studios up and running, East Street Arts has a permanent home from which to expand activity.
April 15, 2021
History of East Street Arts: 2002-2004
A new decade and a new permanent home for East Street Arts takes shape
April 14, 2021
History of East Street Arts: 1998-2001
East Street Arts becomes an official charity and activity steps up a notch.
April 14, 2021
History of East Street Arts: 1993-1998
The birth of East Street Arts and the first studio space.
April 2, 2021
East Street Arts receives additional Culture Recovery fund grant
Leeds-based arts charity East Street Arts have announced that they have been awarded additional funding.
February 1, 2021
East Street Arts Secures £166,000 Cultural Fund
East Street Arts are delighted to be the recipient of £166,036.00 following a successful application to the Weston Culture Fund.
January 20, 2021
Artists Commissioned for a new Art Hostel on Mabgate, Leeds
The Art Hostel will open its doors in April 2021.
January 13, 2021
2021 – A New Year & New Challenge
As we start a new year, here is an update from Karen Watson, Artistic Director at East Street Arts.
January 13, 2021
Radical Structures Survey
In May 2021, we posted some questions on Twitter to gather some of your thoughts about what artists need to...
December 3, 2020
East Street Arts and Counter Culture team up to tackle contracts
East Street Arts and Leeds based Counter Culture are joining forces to tackle a key issue that arises in the arts industry
December 3, 2020
An Interview with Michael Barnes-Wynters (aka Barney)
Barney is a graphic artist/producer whose artistic journey started with Jamaican heritage. Based in our temporary space, Shirethorn House, Hull.
December 2, 2020
Interview: Introducing Artist and Curator Natasha Clarke
Natasha Clarke is a young artist and curator, currently studying at Leeds Arts University for an MA in Curation Practices.
October 12, 2020
East Street Arts receives lifeline grant
East Street Arts have been awarded £245,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF)
September 22, 2020
Chasm: Intimacy in a time of social isolation
Chasm is a new programme responding to the provocation on intimacy in the context of a global pandemic
June 29, 2020
What is A City Less Grey and why do we do it?
We have a long history of working with artists who choose to make art in public places.
July 19, 2019
Rebecca Appleby’s Latent Power
Latent Power is a strikingly bold sculpture by Rebecca Appleby, which sits outside Kirkstall Leisure Centre.
October 3, 2018
A City Less Grey: Talking murals with Mike Winnard
This was an ambitious research project and artwork exploring the local history and contemporary communities.
October 3, 2018
Mike Winnard’s Common Ground
Mike Winnard’s Common Ground piece takes pride of place on Harper Street, overlooking Kirkgate - the oldest street in Leeds.
July 6, 2017
Nomad Clan’s Athena Rising
Officially the UK’s tallest mural, Nomad Clan's Athena Rising soars a monumental 46.8 metres above the ground.
March 16, 2017
Ian Kirkpatrick’s Hare of Harehills (Lepus)
The Hare of Harehills is a public sculpture celebrating the people and history of Harehills and its neighbouring areas.