Opportunities for artists

Play Space is a collaboration between the Cultural Institute and Stage@leeds, offering free 5-day residencies at the University of Leeds for theatre, dance, and live art makers.

Artists can access studio space, technical support, and use of VR and projection mapping equipment, with £500 funding and potential dramaturgical guidance. Residencies are available to professional artists wishing to explore research in collaboration with the University or engage with themes of environmental sustainability, nature, and climate adaptation. Previous artists who have benefited from this opportunity include The Paper Birds, Gary Clarke, and Vanessa Grasse. Applications are usually open in spring each year. 

The DARE Art Prize offers a bursary of £10,000 paid quarterly over twelve months, a budget of up to £5,000 for resources to create and present new work, and the chance to engage with scientific researchers and artists who share a vision, and whose specialist expertise can support the creation of something new. Applications open in March every year. 

The opportunity is a collaboration between the University of Leeds, Opera North, Yorkshire Contemporary (formerly known as The Tetley) and the National Science and Media Musuem.

Previous recipients of the prize are:

• Keisha Thompson 2023/24
• Katie Surridge 2022/23
• Redell Olsen 2020/21
• Anna Riddler 2018/2019 
• Samuel Hertz 2017/2018

Pairing creative professionals with researchers from the University, Creative Labs provides funding, inspiration, opportunities and co-creative space to share ideas and experiences without deadlines and targets.  

[Creative Labs]... enabled me to have time to explore ideas which have been in my mind for some time, as well as explore new ideas. It gave me confidence in my position as a professional artist, standing and level of experience."