High-profile speakers entertain, challenge and stimulate their audiences as they recount their career journeys and provide insights into the latest industry developments.

Creative Networks is our own major professional events programme, and is one of the largest networks of its type in the region. Studying at Leeds Arts University will mean that you are automatically invited to these exciting events. It’s a fantastic chance to hear fascinating talks from industry leading speakers and meet the wide range of professional guests that attend. If you are from industry and have found yourself on this page, feel free to fill out the form below to hear about future events.

Creative Networks events are specifically tailored to an adult (18+) audience. In the interest of protecting and safeguarding the welfare of young people (under 18) it is a requirement that all attendees, without exception, must be aged 18 or older. Young people (under 18), and any attendee unable to provide proof of age when asked to do so, will be refused entry.

Previous speakers include...

  • Jimmy Choo OBE, designer
  • Ian Livingstone CBE, fantasy author & entrepreneur

  • David Shrigley, artist & cartoonist
  • Patrick Grant, fashion designer
  • James Jessop, street artist
  • Elaine Constantine, photographer and filmmaker
  • Kevin Cummins, rock photographer
  • Bob & Roberta Smith, contemporary artist and author
  • Wayne Hemmingway MBE, designer & founder of Red or Dead
  • Andrew Graham Dixon, BBC presenter and art historian
  • Jamal Edwards MBE, film-maker
  • Giles Deacon, designer
  • Adam Buxton, actor/comedian
  • Kit Miles, textiles designer
  • Elizabeth Price, 2012 Turner Prize-winner
  • Studio Blonde & Bieber (Rassi Weber & Essi Johanna Glomb), textile & product design
  • Danny Leigh, writer & presenter of BBC’s Film 2014
  • Dennis Parren, multidisciplinary designer
  • Clio Barnard, writer & film director.
  • Jonathan Barnbrook, designer