Creative Hub
Creative opportunities for artists in the North
Opportunities are ordered most recent deadline - latest deadline/no deadline
If you see the Studio Greenly logo, it’s an opportunity by us!
“The Cultural Institute and stage@leeds have joined forces to offer a new summer residency programme for theatre, dance, music theatre and live art makers at the University of Leeds.
Play Space offers free residencies in June/July 2026 (each lasting five consecutive days) for professional theatre/music theatre-makers, dance artists and live art makers. Residencies will take place in studios or performance spaces managed by stage@leeds.
The weeks available for residencies are:
w/c 22 June
w/c 29 June
This scheme develops out of the support offered to companies and artists over the years by stage@leeds. These have included The Paper Birds, Gary Clarke and Vanessa Grasse among many others.
What we offer (subject to availability):
Five days free space (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm) on campus at the University of Leeds. This will be in the stage@leeds main auditorium or a studio space (various sizes available) depending on need and availability.
Technical support to set up the space and use of technical equipment. Additional technical support during the week may be available but is not guaranteed.
Use of VR, 360 recording and Qlab projection mapping equipment. Please see the studio specifications and tech list for the kit that is available to you.
Dramaturgical or producer conversations if required.
Introductions to relevant academics in the field/s of research you wish to connect with, where relevant.
£750 (including VAT) cash to support your ability to undertake the residency.”
Free to apply via form on their website.
University of Leeds
June/July 2026
Deadline: 29th January
Play Space Residencies
Belgrave Feast Makers Call Out
Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
Saturday 21st February 11 - 4pm
Deadline: 4pm on Friday 30th January
“Calling all artists, designers and makers! Studio Greenly are excited to announce that we are curating stalls again in collaboration Super Friendz for the next Belgrave Feast!
Apply now for a stall on Saturday 21st February 2026 in the Event Space at Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds! The market will be open from 11 - 4pm to the public. Set up will begin from 10am on the day.
Applications are FREE to submit and stalls are FREE - only 8 tables available! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity!”
Applications are free to submit via the Google Form.
**UPDATED GRAPHICS COMING SOON**
“Location: Stockport Masonic Guildhall, 169-171 Wellington Rd South, Stockport, SK1 3UA
Accessibility: Ground floor, wheelchair ramp, disabled toilets, free parking.
Dates: Sunday 22nd March / Sunday 7th June
Times: 3pm till 8pm
Stalls will be downstairs only”
Free to apply via Google Form.
Stockport Masonic Guildhall
Sunday 22nd March / Sunday 7th June
Deadline: 5pm on Friday 30th January
Stockport Alternative Market: March and June markets
“Applications are now open for ‘Horizons’, a new training and development programme supporting socially engaged Global Majority Artists into Creative Mental Health facilitation.
We are looking for 6x socially engaged visual artists living or working in Greater Manchester to join a paid arts & mental-health training programme.”
Free to apply. Email completed applications to horizonsproject.arc@gmail.com
Arc at Hat Works, Stockport
Commission Begins March 2026
Deadline: 23:59pm on Friday 30th January
HORIZONS Artist Development Programme 2026
Fronteer Gallery, Sheffield
Exhibition will run from 24th February - 12th March 2026
Deadline: Friday 30th January
STONE: Exhibition Open Call
“Artists can respond to the theme of Stone in any way they see fit, and artwork might be inspired by ancient stones, such as standing stones/ stone circles or cave art, or something more everyday such as footpaths or buildings.
Stones might be beneath the earth or utilised above ground. However you find inspiration and interpret this theme, we would love to hear from you.
Artists from across from across the UK are welcome to submit work.”
Free to apply via Curatorspace. Successful artists will need to pay a £40 fee.
Sheffield//Remote
Exhibition will run from 24th February - 12th March 2026
Deadline: Saturday 31st January
Wiro Mag: Ecology
“Interested in having your art published, printed, and posted directly to your door? Exhibit alongside a diverse network of established and emerging artists in a collection underpinned by the theme of Ecology. All art in any medium related to this theme is welcome to feature in the fifth installation of this series!
Wiro Mag is a paperbound gallery space designed to capture art practice in motion, seeking to connect emerging and established artists with broader audiences, gain reputable and tangible exposure, and drive intimate conversations with creative individuals or collectives.”
Free to apply via Curatorspace.
Skipton Town Hall Makers Market Callout
Skipton Town Hall
Saturday 7th March
Deadline: Sunday 1st February
“Applications are now open for our Makers Market on Saturday 7th March 2026.
If you’re a local maker, artisan or small business with unique, high-quality products, we’d love to hear from you!
Stalls cost £40 (includes table and refreshments)”
Free to apply via Google Form.
Four Nations Outdoor Arts Bursary
Bradford
March - June 2026
Deadline: Midnight on Sunday 1st February
“We’re thrilled to be once again able to bring the Four Nations Outdoor Arts Bursary to early-career performance makers in Bradford, nurturing the creation of exciting new work for touring next summer.
The Four Nations Outdoor Arts Bursary includes:
A budget of £5,000 for the creation of new outdoor performance work
A fee of £150 per day, per person for performance days
Professional mentoring from the associated festivals and partnership networks
A residency in Brecon, Wales, in March 2026
Travel, accommodation and per diems are provided for both the residency and the performance tour
Support with access to appropriate rehearsal and creation space.”
Free to apply. Email completed applications to hello@bdproducinghub.co.uk
Sun, Moon & Stars Exhibition - Open Call
Fronteer Galley, Sheffield
Exhibition will run from 24th February – 12th March 2026
Deadline: Monday 2nd February
“Fronteer Gallery are looking for small artworks for their exhibition Sun, Moon & Stars
Fronteer Gallery are looking for small artworks for our exhibition Sun, Moon & Stars. Artwork can respond to the theme however they like. Work can be in any medium, except film or audio.
Works should be 35cm x 35cm or less, including any frames and mounts if applicable.
We welcome 3D and sculptural work which should fit on a 30x30cm plinth, and should not exceed 50cm height x 30cm x 30cm.
Work can be framed or unframed. Unframed work should be suitable for hanging using Command Strips.
Artists are invited to submit up to 3 pieces of work for the exhibition. Please complete a separate form for each submission. You may provide a short description of no more than 100 words, but this will not be displayed alongside the work. ”
Free to apply via Curatorspace. Successful artists will need to pay a £28 fee.
Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fairs 2026
Manchester, Newcastle and GNCCFonline
Various dates throughout 2026
Deadline: Sunday 8th February
“Applications are now open for: Great Northern Contemporary Craft & Art Fair Newcastle, Northumbria University 19–21 June 2026; Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair Manchester, Victoria Baths 15-18 October 2026 & GNCCFonline Gift Edition 28-29 November 2026
Sell Your Work at the Most Respected Contemporary Craft Fairs in the North!
Our fairs are nationally renowned and offer makers an unrivalled opportunity to put their work in front of eager and savvy audiences in a way that suits them and their buyers best.”
Apply via CuratorSpace. Fees vary.
Public Art Commission - Woodhouse Lane Gateway
Woodhouse Lane Getaway, Leeds
Contract begins Spring 2026
Deadline: Monday 9th February
“Design and deliver a piece or pieces of public art which are integrated with the functional public realm along the Woodhouse Lane Gateway within the public highway boundary.
The piece or pieces of public art could use the proposed locations or add new ones, and the ideas and examples are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive – we are looking for something new and unique and are open to any types of art which meet the requirements of the brief.
Materials, colours and techniques are not predetermined but must be suitable for a busy urban outdoor location, easy to clean, vandalism resistant, and long lasting.
Materials could include: stone, metal, bronze, durable plastics or other man made and UV resistant materials.
The total budget for 1-3 artist commissions is up to £50,000.”
Free to apply via CuratorSpace.
Open Call for Artists for Didsbury Arts Festival 2026
Didsbury, Manchester
Saturday 27th June – Sunday 5th July
Deadline: 9am on Monday 16th February
“Selecting from online entries, Didsbury Arts Festival (DAF) encourage individuals, groups and organisations to apply, whether amateur enthusiasts or professionals.
Our festival aims to reflect the diversity of people across South Manchester, Greater Manchester and beyond, showcasing emerging talent alongside more established practitioners and artists.
Where possible, it would be great if applications could represent or connect with the DAF2026 festival theme of 'Visibility and Invisibility' - combining the power of the imagination with the right to be seen, comparing life stories and experiences that can be overlooked with those that it is hard to avoid, as well as thinking about what you can and can't see, what you can only hear, or remember, or dream of...
We are keen to help profile artists from our local area and our wider city region, as well as artists from further afield with exciting and high quality contributions to make. We’re also keen to profile artists from all backgrounds (cultural, socio-economic etc.) and with all characteristics (age, gender, race, sexuality, disability etc.) particularly those less represented in the arts in this country, so please do indicate if relevant.”
Free to apply via the form on their website.
Meanwood Market Trader Callout
Meanwood Park, Leeds
Rolling applications throughout 2026
“As we head towards the first Meanwood Market of the year, the line up is already looking pretty fab 😍
It’ll be lovely to welcome back some of your favourite local indies and say ‘hello’ to some gorgeous new ones too 👋🏻
There’s still a bit of space available if you fancy joining us. It’s shortly before Mother’s Day, so a few more gift type stalls would be amazing - artwork, jewellery, candles, homewares, etc 💖”
Free to apply via form on their website.
Art & Soul Leeds Artists and Makers Applications
Queen’s Arcade, Leeds
Rolling applications throughout 2026
“We’re welcoming new artists and makers to our Leeds city-centre store. Art & Soul brings together independent creatives under one roof, and we’re currently looking to add new makers to our Leeds space. We showcase work across the following departments:
Jewellery
Prints
Home Fragrance
Greetings Cards
Gifts & Stationery
Bath & Body
Accessories
Homeware
Clothing
Original Art
Photography
Spaces are limited, and we’re looking for work that’s genuinely handmade and a good fit for Art & Soul.”
Free to apply. Email contact@artandsoulhub.co.uk for an application pack.
North by Northeast Short Film Screenings
The Cardigan Arms, Leeds
26th February 2026 with further dates in 2026
“For our February edition of North by Northeast, we are looking for shorts made by creatives from or based in Yorkshire - all genres welcome!
If you’ve recently been involved in the making of a short (up to 20 minutes) and would like us to show it to the world, or roughly 50 people in a pub, please send us a link to your film via email at info@milkteethproductions.co.uk
As always, we will watch all of the submitted films but can’t guarantee to screen them all.”
Free to apply. Submit your film to info@milkteethproductions.co.uk
Tilly & Primrose Artisan Markets
“At a Tilly & Primrose Artisan Market you can expect to find a wonderful selection of artisans and independent creative businesses showcasing their work.
My markets are thoughtfully curated to ensure high quality products, and venues are chosen to give visitors lots to enjoy and discover while they visit.”
Applications are free to submit on Eventaly but applicants must make an account with this platform.
Various venues throughout 2026
Various dates throughout 2026
Mindful Markets
Various venues throughout 2026
Various dates throughout 2026
“You must have a strong brand presence that is cohesive across your packaging, website, marketing streams and stall set-up. It must clearly and professionally reflect your products and ethos, I am looking only for high-quality brands & products. Mindful Market is not a makers market or a craft fair, not to say that hand-made and art items are excluded, it just means it’s not a priority within our curation.
Being the Mindful Market, we curate our line-up with these principles in mind. If you do not have the below ethos', you are not considered a mindful business and therefore will not be selected. If you do, please ensure this information is available to view clearly via your website and marketing streams.”
Applications are free to submit via the form on their website.
Good Market
Penny Lane Church, Liverpool
Various dates throughout 2026. Applications are continuous.
“Each of our Markets are hand curated - that means we hand select the best traders for the venue and specific audience/ date, also this ensures there are never too many of one category at any event - where there are multiple stall holders of similar products, we ensure the product ascetic/ packaging/ offering etc is different enough to attract a different customer and is not in direct competition and also never placed in close proximity.
Our Markets are not 'First come, First served' - as mentioned each market is hand selected to make the Best Market for trader and customer.
We continuously review our applications and the traders and you may be invited to attend a Market you didn't apply for if we think you would suit the venue/ audience.”
Applications are free to submit via the Google Form.
Fuse Workshop Hosts
Saan1, Manchester
Various dates throughout 2026.
“We’ve been providing artists in our network an opportunity to facilitate workshops at @saan1mcr – here’s how it works: We hire the space, take care of the marketing and logistics, and invite you to run whatever workshop you’d like to a small group of attendees (10-12 people).
There are 5 dates available across 2026! Fuse is voluntary run so there’s no fee, but we will pay for any supplies needed to run your workshop up to the amount we receive from ticket sales.
**Please note, this is an opportunity for POC/Black, Asian, and Global Majority creatives**”
Applications are free to submit. Make a proposal and send to fusedirectory@gmail.com
Studio Greenly Artist Expression of Interest
Leeds/Bradford
2026
“We are looking into commissioning artists/illustrators/designers for the creation of our event artwork. This typically consists of making marketing materials such as event posters and social media posts.
We are looking for artists to create artwork and text layouts. You must be confident at both and ideally proven past experience of working on similar projects or commissions.
Please use this form to express interest in being commissioned by us. We typically pay a flat fee but we are open to negotiation with your hourly rate.
We are also looking for artists to be a part of future exhibitions, collaborations and other opportunities.
We will be in contact with you if a project comes up that suits your work and/or style. Selected artists will be given their own section on our website with a bio, photos of their work and links to their socials/website.”
Applications are free to submit via the Google Form.
Where do I find more opportunities?
We recommend CuratorSpace and HappeninginMCR as great resources for open calls and events.
Where do I find creative jobs?
We recommend using Art Jobs to search for full and part time jobs. Try using the filters to search for jobs in a specific discipline or area of the UK.
If you are hosting an event or there’s event you’d like to see on this page, get in touch with us!