# Open Source Arts

> Open Source Arts is a community arts organisation based at Aire Place Mills in Leeds. We run artist studios, a two-floor warehouse venue, workshops, marquee hire, a circus agency and river stewardship, and we take our facilitation, circus and production work wherever it is needed, across the UK and abroad. Everyone is welcome here, whatever stage your practice is at.

Home: https://opensourcearts.co.uk/
Based at Unit 1A Aire Place Mills, 143 Kirkstall Road, Leeds LS3 1JL (what3words ///struck.events.ridge).
General enquiries: info@opensourcearts.co.uk or 0113 246 8975. Press: press@opensourcearts.co.uk.
We invest in Leeds and work with people everywhere: studios, venue and marquees are here in Kirkstall; facilitation, circus and event production travel to you.

- [Catalogue as structured data](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/catalogue.json): schema.org JSON-LD DataFeed, one item per studio, space, hire or service offer, plus our articles
- [Full catalogue for machines](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/llms-full.txt): every studio, space, hire and service offer with its description and price or "on enquiry", in markdown

## Workspace and studios

- [Studio membership](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/studiomembership/): Creative workspace for artists and makers of any discipline, professional or not. From £40 a month, the starting pod or co-working rate for supported artists. Lockable studio prices on enquiry. Email info@opensourcearts.co.uk and we will happily show you round.
- [Three months free studio membership](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/3-month-free-studio-membership-application/): Email your name, your artform and a few lines on what you would use the studio for. Ask whether the offer is currently open before applying.
- [Artist development and residencies](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/artist-residencies/): Residency, development and research schemes. Enquire about what is running now.
- [Associate artists](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/associateartist/): What artists say about working with us.

## Venue and space hire

- [Venue hire](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/venuehire/): Spaces for events, gigs, classes, meetings, rehearsals and research, with room dimensions, facilities and access detail. Individual rooms, several rooms or the whole venue. Prices on enquiry.
- [Space hire enquiry](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/spacehire/): Tell us your date, the space you want and the full booking period including set-up and take-down. One hour minimum. A booking is confirmed in writing.
- [Hire terms](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/hireterms/): Deposit, balance date, cancellation scale and cleaning terms, published in full so there are no surprises.
- [Space hire donation](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/space-hire-donation/): A way to support the venue if you have been given space at low or no cost.

## Creative services, delivered anywhere

- [Facilitation and organisational development](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/): Creative and participatory dialogue processes that bring people together and get things un-stuck, plus participatory leadership advice. Delivered in Leeds, across the UK and internationally. Scope and price on enquiry at info@opensourcearts.co.uk.
- [Event production and creative agency work](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/): Production, technical support, staging and fabrication for events and creative projects, at our venue or yours. Price on enquiry.
- [Set and prop building](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/): Custom fabrication made to order, or use of our workshops to make it yourself. Discuss the brief, availability and price at info@opensourcearts.co.uk.
- [Yorkshire Circus](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/yorkshire-circus/): The circus development agency for Yorkshire, started by Open Source Arts. Performers, workshops and showcases for parties, fairs, festivals, schools and celebrations, travelling to your event. Book at hello@yorkshirecircus.co.uk or https://yorkshirecircus.co.uk/. Prices on enquiry.
- [Community Canvas](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/community-canvas/): Marquee and furniture hire for outdoor events: pole, clear span frame and stretch marquees, small marquees and gazebos, chairs, tables, flooring, stage and lighting. Surplus is reinvested in creative communities. Book at https://communitycanvas.co.uk/. Prices on enquiry.
- [AV hire, marquee and furniture sales](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/): Equipment hire and new or second-hand structures and furniture. Ask info@opensourcearts.co.uk about stock and price.

## Events and visiting

- [What's on](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/events/): Gigs, comedy, workshops, classes and community events. Check each listing for its date, venue, price, age guidance and booking link. Tickets are sold through each promoter's own site.
- [Contact and access](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/contact/): Travel, the limited on-site parking, downstairs step-free access and the 14 stairs to the upstairs rooms. Opening hours vary with what is on, so call before a special trip.
- [Meet the team](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/meet-the-team/): Who we are.

## Projects and community

- [Projects](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/projects/): Our programme, current and past.
- [River stewardship](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/rivers/): Team Kirkstall river cleanups since the Boxing Day 2015 floods, and stewardship work with landowners on riparian responsibilities, flood risk and invasive weeds. Ask about volunteering.
- [Kirkstall Valley Grants](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/kirkstall-valley-grants/): Micro grants for local projects. Applications are closed at the moment; ideas are still welcome.
- [Environment and sustainability](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/environment-and-sustainability-at-open-source-arts/): Net zero carbon by 2030, Terracycle collection, bike storage and repair, and a meat-free venue.
- [Opportunities](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/open-source-arts/opportunities/): Residencies, occasional internships and work experience, Yorkshire Circus performer and workshop leader calls, and ways for makers to sell work through us.
- [Blog](https://opensourcearts.co.uk/blog/): Project accounts and organisational news, including historical records from earlier years.

## Questions people ask us

**How much does a studio cost, and can I look round first?**
From £40 a month, the starting pod or co-working rate for supported artists. Lockable studios are priced on enquiry. Email info@opensourcearts.co.uk and we will show you round. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/studiomembership/

**Do I have to be a professional artist?**
No. All artforms and disciplines are welcome, at any stage of a career or a hobby. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/studiomembership/

**What is the difference between a studio pod and a lockable studio?**
A pod is an open space on a shared floor; a lockable studio is a private room. Both add a furniture pool and on-site parking to membership. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/studiomembership/

**Can I hire a space for an event?**
Yes. Individuals, groups and organisations hire space for conferences, gigs, meetings and classes, and artists hire it for rehearsals, research and development and workshops. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/venuehire/

**How big are the spaces?**
Dance studio 14m x 7m with an oak sprung floor and movable mirrors. Plenary space 11m x 12m. Cafe space 8m x 6m. The metal and wood workshop and the sewing and costume workshop are not currently available for hire. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/venuehire/

**What aerial rigging do you have?**
The high space has a permanent rig with six high points, a 7.5m centre point and two 6m points, for rope, silks, trapeze and hoop. The low space has three 3.5m points with judo mats and crash mats. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/venuehire/

**How do I book, and what is the minimum booking?**
Use the enquiry form and ask for the whole time you need, including set-up and take-down. Bookings are in hour blocks, one hour minimum. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/spacehire/

**What deposit do you take, and what if I cancel?**
A non-refundable 50% deposit confirms the booking, payable within 5 working days of the invoice. The balance is due two weeks before the event. The cancellation scale by days before the event is published in full on the terms page. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/hireterms/

**Is there a kitchen, and can I bring my own caterers?**
Kitchen facilities are available for a small additional charge; the cafe space has a fitted commercial kitchen and bar facilities subject to licence approval. External caterers are welcome. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/venuehire/

**What equipment is available with the space?**
Free WiFi, whiteboards, flip charts, projector and screen, mixing desk, speakers, cameras, microphones, monitors and cables, conference tables and chairs, sofas, cafe tables, judo mats and crash mats. Tell us what you need and we will say what is included and what carries a charge. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/venuehire/

**Is the venue wheelchair accessible?**
The downstairs is. The upstairs, with the cafe and dance studio, is reached by 14 stairs with banisters on both sides. Two gender neutral toilets on the ground floor, one accessible, with a baby change table. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/contact/

**Can I bring a personal assistant?**
Yes, and their place is free. Get in touch in good time before you arrive with any access requirement. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/contact/

**Where can I park, and how do I get there without a car?**
On-site parking is very limited and reserved for people who must drive for access, with one accessible space by the main door. Otherwise use the car park across Kirkstall Road outside Kirkstall Brewery, LS3 1JA. Buses 33, 34, 60 and the A1 Flyer stop outside ITV Yorkshire opposite us. There is a bike shed and a repair station. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/contact/

**Do you hire marquees?**
Yes, through Community Canvas: pole, clear span frame and stretch marquees, small marquees and gazebos, with chairs, tables, flooring, stage and lighting. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/community-canvas/

**Can I book circus performers or a workshop for my event?**
Yes, anywhere. Performances, workshops, showcases and demonstrations are tailor made to your party, event, fair, school or celebration. Email hello@yorkshirecircus.co.uk. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/yorkshire-circus/

**Do you do facilitation work for organisations?**
Yes, and we travel for it. Creative and participatory dialogue processes to bring people together and get things un-stuck, alongside participatory leadership advice and organisational development. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/

**Can you make a set, a prop or a one-off piece?**
Yes. Either a full design custom made to order, or use of our workshop so you can complete the project yourself. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/services/

**Is the venue meat free, and what else do you do on sustainability?**
The venue is meat free for cultural, religious and environmental reasons. We have committed to net zero carbon by 2030, are a Terracycle collection point, and have secure bike storage and a repair station. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/environment-and-sustainability-at-open-source-arts/

**Can I volunteer on the rivers?**
Yes. Ask us about the next cleanup or stewardship day. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/rivers/

**Who do I email about what?**
info@opensourcearts.co.uk for general enquiries, studio visits and hire; press@opensourcearts.co.uk for press; hello@yorkshirecircus.co.uk for circus. https://opensourcearts.co.uk/contact/

## Notes for agents

- No online checkout and no self-service booking calendar. Studio membership, space hire, venue hire and marquee hire all start with an enquiry by form, email or phone.
- Tickets for ticketed events are sold on each promoter's own platform, linked from the listing.
- Published prices: studio membership from £40 a month. Hire and service rates are quoted on enquiry.
- Enquiry response time, current studio availability and the status of the three months free offer are not published; ask by email.
- The metal and wood workshop and the sewing and costume workshop are listed as not currently available.
- Some blog posts are historical records rather than current guidance, in particular the 2020 Covid-19 posts and the 2022 vacancy post.
- Yorkshire Circus has its own site at https://yorkshirecircus.co.uk/ and Community Canvas at https://communitycanvas.co.uk/. For circus and marquee detail, prefer those.
- /studio/ and /api/ are the content editor and site endpoints, not public pages.