The Creatives in Residence scheme at Leeds Arts University aims to provide a platform for recent graduates to realise their ambitions and develop and work on a specific project within a secure environment
MA and BA Graduates of Leeds Arts University from the past five years can apply to join our Creatives in Residence scheme to complete a three month residency.
The residency has been created to offset those initial difficulties of getting new idea, product and practice set up. A tangible project plan, including monthly milestones and a timeline, is required and outcomes must be agreed by the receiving course area. The residency will culminate in a presentation on your final project.
“The residency has helped me so much in my own practice. Firstly, having a creative desk space to work from was incredible, and being back in university I really felt a part of the creative community.” Holly Greenwood, Creative in Residence, Textile Design, 2022.
What you get from us
Successful applicants will participate in the scheme for 3 months. The residency is suitable if you are working part-time but not if you are working full-time. You will be provided with access to facilities and a support network that is coordinated by our Alumni Relations and Development Officer and Careers, Enterprise & Employability (CEE) team. In some cases, a small studio space may be provided.
You will not receive tuition, although you will have the chance to discuss work and projects with your fellow CIRs. Support will also be available through the careers team, including online careers workshops, 1-to-1 careers guidance appointments and access to the Career Discovery feed through the Careers Portal.
What we expect from you
You’ll be expected to engage with current students, share knowledge, experience, practice and specialist skills. You’ll attend update meetings with fellow Creatives in Residence and to give a final presentation on your project at the end of your residency.
Apply
Applications are closed for 2022/23.
Updates on residencies will be included in alumni communications. To sign up to email updates please fill in the form here, email alumni@leeds-art.ac.uk or join the Leeds Arts University Alumni LinkedIn group.
Previous Residents
Amelia Baron, Artist
Amelia Baron graduated from BA (Hons) Fine Art in 2018. Her work approaches the topic of mental health within contemporary society. During the residency Amelia worked on a project called Take 10, developed from her own experiences of mental health as well as an awareness of an increase in rates of mental health difficulties in society. Take 10 culminated in a performance at Sheffield Train Station as part of Penistone Art week. Amelia also exhibited as a part of Curators Choice at Leeds Arts University.
|
 Tyler Hartley, Painter and Illustrator
Tyler Hartley is a freelance painter and illustrator who graduated from BA (Hons) Comic & Concept Art in 2021.
Tyler returned as a Leeds Arts University Creative in Residence in 2021-22.
|
Jessie Leong, Photographer
Jessie Leong graduated from BA (Hons) Photography in 2014 and works as a commercial photographer specialising in people in the outdoors. During her residency she worked on a project with The Pinnacle Club, a Women’s only climbing club which is approaching its centenary in 2023. Jessie produced a range of portraits of club members who range in age from their 20s to mid 90s. During her residency Jessie won the Judges special mention award at BMCs Women in Adventure Film Festival.
|
Sonia Moran, Artist
Sonia Moran graduated from BA (Hons) Fine Art in 2018. Sonia is a soft sculptor, predominantly adopting second hand material, she describes her practice as ‘an umbilical cord to my past’. Sonia’s work was exhibited as a part of the Curators Choice series at Leeds Arts University in 2019.
|
Ben Cooper and Rob Harper, founders of WYS Studio
Ben and Rob graduated from BA (Hons) Graphic Design in 2018. During their time as residents they used the facilities to develop the product side of the studio with their debut exhibition project “Take Note” which exhibited at Bene Culture. The space has also given them the opportunity to develop their service side by continuing to build their client base where they focus on print, branding, typographic and digital design.
|
|
Lucy Williams, Print and Surface Designer
Lucy Williams graduated from BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design in 2018. Lucy works with waste acrylic plastic to create bespoke Perspex objects and body adornments/accessories. During her residency Lucy worked on creating her first collection.
|
El Riordan, Print and Textile Designer
El Riordan graduated from BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design in 2018. Her work is inspired by her love of the outdoors. During her residency El worked on the development of her first collection and had the opportunity to represent the University at Heimitextil trade fair for interior textiles in Frankfurt.
|
 Holly Greenwood, Print and Pattern Designer
Holly Greenwood is a print and pattern designer based in Yorkshire. She graduated from BA (Hons) Textile Design at Leeds Arts University in 2019 and returned in 2022 as a Creative in Residence for a six month residency. Holly's goal for the residency was to design a brand-new print collection to be used on multiple products, build a website, and put together a wholesale catalogue of my products to send out to potential stockists.
|
Lucy Howard, Surface Pattern Designer
Lucy Howard graduated from BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design in 2018. During the residency Lucy worked on setting up her business and creating her first collection of handmade, patterned ceramics and fabrics for interior settings.
|
