Dandyism by Luke Waddington
Dandyism by Luke Waddington

Welcome to the Leeds Inspired Blog, a place for behind the scenes art and culture news, job postings, volunteer call-outs and creative opportunities for everyone in Leeds. 

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Let's see what's out there!

Blog.
Bobbi Rae: Taking Up Space

Last year artist Bobbi Rae was awarded a Leeds Inspired grant to develop her project Taking Up Space that looked at the representation of women in the creative industries.

Exhibitions Leeds Inspired
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Illustrator & LAU Student Sofia Johnston: Pizzas And Animated Emojis

Leeds Arts University BA (Hons) Illustration student Sofia Johnston is about to graduate but she already has her artwork on the walls of Leeds’ Franco Manca and has worked with her hero, animator Julian Glander. Sofia tells us how the benefits of taking on industry briefs alongside her studies helped build her confidence to embark on a freelance career.

Blog.
Meet Some Of The Artists From LS11 Art Gallery

If you've not been able to take a tour around Beeston and Holbeck's LS11 Art Gallery we thought we'd share a few photos of the pictures along with some of the artists who created them. The lampost gallery was created by Slung Low during lockdown and all the artwork is by people living in the area.  The LS11 Art Gallery is funded through the Leeds Inspired Grants Scheme. Enjoy!

Exhibitions
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Blog: Geraldine Connor Foundation: Windrush Resources 'The Living Room'

For African Caribbean families living in Britain, the Front Room was a focal point for respectability.

Film Heritage
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Blog: The Eulogy Book

In 2019, Jamaica Society Leeds Eulogy Project, celebrated the lives and journeys of first generation Jamaicans who settled in Leeds during the 1940s to 60s, including those who pre-date Windrush.

Heritage Photography
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Blog: Geraldine Connor Foundation: Windrush Resources 'Food & Drink'

Food And Drink: The Windrush Generation were highly influential in increasing the popularity of Caribbean food in the UK.

Film Heritage
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Blog: Geraldine Connor Foundation: Windrush Resources: Racism

Watch this video to hear about the racism that the Windrush Generation faced every day.

Film Heritage
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Geraldine Connor Foundation: Windrush Resources 'Contribution To The Economy'
Many migrants who came from the Caribbean to Britain during the Windrush came from skilled jobs. Some found employment easily but others came up against racism and bigotry.
Film Heritage
Blog.
Zak Haddock: Leeds Arts University Show Branding

Each year the University invites final year students to pitch to a design brief for the end of year show. Zak Haddock, BA (Hons) Graphic Design, won the opportunity to provide the concept for branding across the Leeds Arts University Show 2020. Here Zak outlines the thinking behind his concept and how he adapted as the show moved from a physical exhibition to an online one.

Design
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Blog: Geraldine Connor Foundation: Windrush Resources: Education
Film Heritage
Blog.
Blog: Geraldine Connor Foundation: Windrush Legacy 'Departing And Arriving'
After the Second World War, the British Government invited people from the Caribbean to come to Britain to help rebuild the country. They were British citizens and held British passports as their countries were still under British rule.
Film Heritage Leeds
Blog.
Yorkshire Dance: FRESH Challenge

Sadly, Yorkshire Dance have had to postpone FRESH 2020, our annual youth dance showcase due to COVID-19, but we hope you will join us online for our FRESH Challenge!

Dance Film
Blog.
Come Play With Me

Come Play With Me is a social enterprise putting out split 7” releases from the most exciting artists from the Leeds City Region alongside a few surprises along the way. For the past five years we’ve released a mix of new and more established acts from all genres, demonstrating the awesome diversity of great music coming out of this part of the world.

Design Leeds Inspired Music
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Big Thank You!

There are so many people doing amazing things right now to help others and if there’s someone you’d like to say a, really big ‘thank you’ to, Leeds-based design studio Split has a record-breaking solution.

Design
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Leeds Got Locked Down! Introducing Breeze Leeds latest music project
Leeds Music
Blog.
The Mountains Will Still Be There

I’m a photographer by trade and also work as a cgi artist. I’ve always loved doodling but it wasn’t until last year that I got a tablet and stylus which allowed me to explore all sorts of styles and materials. Before lockdown I had recently got into climbing (primarily bouldering) and absolutely loved it - I hadn’t been that passionate about a pastime for years! Like everyone I am so keen to get back out exploring but, as we all know, the best thing is to stay home and stay safe! Designing the t-shirts has been my way of reminding people that the outdoor places we love will still be there when this is all over! There are a number of colours available and also long sleeved shirts. If this goes well I might launch a short run art-print for those who don’t want a T-shirt.

Design
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Lost Cinemas Of Leeds

With over 80 cinemas once existing in Leeds and now only a handful remaining, the 105 year old Hyde Park Picture House is one of the lucky survivors.

Film
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Posters For The People

In Good Company, the Leeds-based street art project led by Laura Wellington, has created some of the city’s most striking murals and installations and today launches Posters For The People.

Design
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Lucy Gordon: Social Isolation A to Z

I am a second-year student studying Visual Communication at Leeds Arts University. My practice includes illustration, photography and video through to 3D design. Colour, play and fun have been my main influences for a long time and I'll always find ways to project them in my work, some way or another. 

Design Visual Art
Blog.
Leeds Indie Food Directory

Leeds is on lockdown but that doesn’t mean you have to forget our amazing indie businesses. At Leeds Indie Food we created a directory of businesses, firstly to show who was open still but that quickly evolved into a bigger resource. It now shows who is doing takeout, delivery, businesses that have vouchers online or businesses doing fresh produce collections for you.