Opportunities for artists

Three people looking at and photographing a hanging sculpture of coloured discs.

Over the years we have supported many artists through networking and funded opportunities.

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Upcoming opportunities

DARE Art Prize

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

Leeds Creative Labs

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."

Participant, Bradford Producing Hub Creative Health edition

Artists we’ve supported

Taking part in Leeds Creative Labs has helped me develop as an artist, and apply for larger grants, after this work, I was able to apply for, and exhibit new work, at Sunny Bank Mills.

Herfa Martina Thompson, multimedia artist and Leeds Creative Labs participant