BLOG
YIP Youth Initiative Program Blog
Below is the transcript of the YIP's, together documenting their time here. BAM! Hello? Ehhhm...Well that’s different. Different than India. Oh yes. Right. We are in the western world. Again. England. Grey. Do I understand their english?...
Artist Testimonials: Niko Mitsuko
1. Overall the experience was great. I was able to go in whenever I wanted too and work either when no one was there or able to speak to other artists while they were there. Everyone was really friendly and helpful when I had questions. I felt that...
Welcoming LGBT+ Creativity at Open Source Arts
On Sunday, Leeds Pride celebrated LGBT+ life in the heart of the city with thousands of people parading and partying in the annual event rooted in protest and love. At Open Source Arts, we strive to celebrate joy and creativity in the LGBT+...
New Bike Repair Station at Open Source Arts
Beyond 2023: Exploring our collective ambition for Leeds culture
Last Friday, the Open Source Arts team were invited in by Leeds City Council to facilitate a crucial discussion and a collective visioning of the future of arts and culture in Leeds. A diverse range of attendees from the arts, music, and cultural...
OSA Presents… your moment in the spotlight
Performers and audiences need each other. One's no good without the other. And they both need a venue! So whether you've got a longing to perform, or you want some good entertainment on a Sunday afternoon, we'd love for you to be part of "OSA...
Sustainability Round Up – 2022 Edition
Pen Wizards Circle Chronicles
Some folk think that drawing is something you’re born with, while some think that is also true of imagination. Believe me, even though I've been drawing my whole life, regular practise and training is what brought me here. No one is born with...
Open Source Arts takes the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Action Pledge
Are you a business or organisation in the Yorkshire & Humber region? Have you taken the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Action Pledge? Open Source Arts has signed the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Action Pledge! We've committed to...
Open Source Arts x Car Free Day
We took on the Car Free Day challenge this Thursday 22nd September, did you? We decided to take on the Car Free Day challenge as we asked our team members to leave the car at home and travel to work either actively or on public transport. Sam,...
Open Source Arts commits to reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2030
Here at Open Source Arts we’ve committed to becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2030. In response, we've been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to put together a Net Zero Carbon Roadmap and the first bit of work relating to this now is ready to be...
James Lovelock – an inspiration to many
James Lovelock, inspirational, respected and pioneering independent climate scientist sadly passed away on Wednesday 27th July - his 103rd birthday. We want to take this opportunity to pay our tributes to his life and achievements as a climate...
Clean Air Day 2022 – what are we doing?
Open Source Arts – Art Studios blog
Here at Open Source Arts, we recognise the value of the arts and cultural sector both locally and globally. We also understand the importance of supporting emergent artists and recent graduates to develop their creative practice. During the...
Open Source Arts x The Big Plastic Count
Plastic pollution, and what some have coined the plastic crisis, has risen to public consciousness over the past few years. It has received plenty of media coverage with documentaries, such as Drowning in Plastic, and comments from national...
International Compost Awareness Week 2022
International Compost Awareness Week, or ICAW for short, is all about raising public awareness of the importance of composting our food and other garden waste, as well as focusing on all the benefits composting can bring.Here at Open Source Arts we...
Switching to LEDs – for what benefit?
Here at Open Source Arts there’s always something exciting happening and the past few months have been no exception! We recently acquired some new studio space on Kirkstall Road for local artists and creatives to use to work and develop their...
Vacancy: Marketing and Communications Manager
Download full Job Description PDF Job Title: Marketing and Communications Manager Location of work: Online or in person at the venue in Leeds. You will be expected to work in person with the team. Salary: £26,000 - £32,000 Pro rata....
Sustainable Waste Disposal in Leeds – what’s been your experience?
Here at Open Source Arts we know all too well the impacts of climate change! Located on the banks of the River Aire back in 2015 we were impacted by the devastating flooding which struck Kirkstall on Boxing Day as our resource centre was flooded...
Spring Equinox Celebration & Market
Come one, come all to join Open Source Arts and a variety of other makers and workshoppers from across Leeds to rejoice new beginnings and the natural world as we celebrate the Spring Equinox and International Day of Forests this Saturday 19th...
A New Affordable Theatre Programme!
We are very excited to announce the new Affordable Theatre Programme from Open Source Arts! This series of events take live theatre shows performed by grassroots artists and livestream them through our new...
Covid-19 OSA Safety Measures
Welcome back! We are really happy to be able to welcome people in person to our venue on Kirkstall Road, Leeds! To help keep us all safe as we continue living with a pandemic, we have put together some information about what to expect if you’re...
Supporting Connected Futures in Kirklees
System Design At the beginning of Covid-19 lockdown, Open Source Arts worked closely with Kirklees Council. We helped design and implement a new system which facilitated the requests of help for people who needed support during this time with the...
Apology and Statement of Intent & Solidarity from Open Source Arts around Black Lives Matter
Dear Friends, collaborators, onlookers and everybody, We would like to deeply apologise for everything which we have not already done to make our organisation more inclusive, more equitable and more diverse and for not being better allies to our...
Art SOUP Online w Rainbow Junktion
On the 8th of May 2020 we hosted the first online event for our quarterly community powered microgranting event Art SOUP. This alternative funding event raised £155 for an inspiring virtual project from local creatives! In the uncertainty during...
Kirkstall Valley Grants – keeping connected
Support each other Kirkstall Valley Grants supports projects that build community and collaboration while benefiting the local environment and the climate. During this pandemic, it is still possible to continue supporting and being active citizens...
Coronavirus/Covid-19 update 12/03/2020
Dear Friends and Supporters! It is with conviction and steadfastness that we would like to announce our Covid-19 update from Open Source Arts. With immediate effect we are closing the Open Source Arts building and will continue all our activities,...
Why Neighbours Matter
Recently, we were approached by a community campaign in West Yorkshire and Harrogate called 'Looking out for our Neighbours' to share our neighbourly stories. You can read our stories here! The campaign highlights the important part neighbours play...
Women Who Dance – Phoebe’s Fundraiser
On February 8th, we played host to Phoebe Ophelia's Fringe Fundraiser - Women Who Dance! The night payed homage to some incredibly talented women in this city and beyond. With performance art, dance, poetry, feminist punk and DJs, it really...
Kirkstall Valley Grants Awards Evening
Since July 2019, Open Source Arts have been actively involved in administering a small grants programme as part of Kirkstall Valley Grants for local projects that benefit environment and quality of life in the Kirkstall Valley (which includes the...
Our very first Art SOUP
Just to fill you in a little incase you don't know, an Art SOUP is a democratic micro-granting experiment where three local artists deliver a pitch for a project or concept they’re developing, and the audience who attend choose one of them to...
Kirkstall Valley Grants – the sustainability project story so far
Sponsored by Power to Change, and coordinated by Open Source Arts and Kirkstall Valley Development Trust, Kirkstall Valley Grants officially launched in June 2019. It is a small grants programme for residents and businesses in the Kirkstall Valley...
Contact Us
Open Source Arts
Unit 1a Aire Place Mills
143 Kirkstall Road
LS3 1JL
01132 468 975
