Organizer Information
Leeds Creative Labs is a program run by the Cultural Institute at the University of Leeds, established to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations between artists, creative professionals, and academic researchers. Since its inception in 2012, the initiative has paired artists with academics across diverse disciplines, supporting innovative projects that explore intersections of science, technology, performance, and visual culture. The 2026 edition of Leeds Creative Labs partners with the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, one of the UK’s leading outdoor galleries, providing artists with a professional development program that encourages experimentation, collaboration, and critical engagement with interdisciplinary themes.
Title & Description
Leeds Creative Labs 2026 – Artist Collaboration with Yorkshire Sculpture Park
This program invites Yorkshire-based artists and creative professionals to participate in a funded, collaborative residency that pairs six artists with six academic researchers. Participants will explore the concept of connection through four thematic strands: human connection, connection to place, connection across time, and technological/ecological connection. The residency emphasizes process over output, encouraging participants to experiment with new methods, interdisciplinary approaches, and collaborative frameworks. Artists will participate in a workshop at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, develop projects through hands-on collaboration between 25 March and 2 July 2026, and showcase their experiences during a final sharing event at the University of Leeds.
Categories
Interdisciplinary Arts, Visual Arts, Performance, New Media, Mixed Media
Eligibility
- Individual artists or creative professionals based in Yorkshire
- Experience in creative or artistic practice across any discipline
- Previous Leeds Creative Labs participants from the most recent cycle are not eligible
- Open to all genders and ages, provided applicants meet residency requirements
Program Benefits & Awards
- Funded participation with a £1,250 stipend per artist
- Mentorship and collaborative development with academic researchers
- Professional development, networking, and access to interdisciplinary methodologies
- Hands-on experience working at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and the University of Leeds
- Exposure through workshops, final sharing events, and program documentation
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online application form including information on artistic practice, process, and approach to collaboration
- Confirmation of availability for key dates (25 March – 2 July 2026)
- No portfolio submission required, but examples of past practice may be included to strengthen the application
How to Apply
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 February 2026
- Selection Notification: 1 March 2026
- Workshop at Yorkshire Sculpture Park: 25 March 2026
- Collaborative Residency: 25 March – 2 July 2026
- Final Sharing Event: 2 July 2026
Location
Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Additional Details
- Program focuses on experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional growth
- Artists must participate fully in workshops, collaborative development, and final sharing events
- Projects created during the residency may be shared publicly, including photography or video documentation
- No requirement to produce a final artistic work; emphasis is on process, research, and experimentation