East Street Arts

Emma Sumner

Visit now

East Street Arts

St Mary's Lane, Leeds, LS9 7EH
0113 248 0040
  • Monday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Wednesday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Thursday10:00am - 5:00pm
  • Friday10:00am - 5:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Book now

East Street Arts in Leeds showcases of parts of the city that many people don’t even know exist.

So, you live in a city dotted with disused spaces. How do you rescue them? Back in 1993, Karen Watson and Jon Wakeman – the founders of East Street Arts – came up with a solution. They set up a new, contemporary arts organisation that inhabited these buildings, making creative and innovative use of them before moving on. Over eleven years East Street Arts has been a growing concern, operating (by definition) from the underbelly of the city’s art scene. The idea was that it would emulate the traditional format of the artist-led space, whilst providing professional development opportunities and studio provision for artists active in the city.

Today, East Street has expanded to become a nationally active collaborator, advisor and supporter to hundreds of emerging artists. The heart of their activity, however, is still centred in Leeds. There, they now have three permanent studio complexes: Patrick Studios in Mabgate, Barkston House in Holbeck and Union 105 in Chapeltown. Through these hubs, East Street boasts a full programme of artist led exhibitions, residencies, workshops, events and community classes, inviting visitors to participate and engage with artists on an entirely different level to the traditional gallery.

It’s a unique organisation that stays restless, constantly seeking out and developing possible opportunities. A recent addition to their portfolio is the responsibility for The Reliance bar’s exhibition programme, drawing from the pool of emerging talent that is East Street’s artist membership. Another more ambitious development at Barkston House boasts the only dedicated ceramics facility in Leeds, soon to host classes for those looking to develop or learn new skills.

All of this varied and engaging activity culminates in the annual Open Studios in October, when East Street fling open their doors for all to see the full extent of their activity. Acting as a facilitator for a dialogue between artists and their audience, East Street encourages you to not just to look, but to participate and engage with artists and their practice. Whether you know the city well, or not at all, East Street can introduce you to a part of Leeds that many don’t even know exists.

What's on near East Street Arts

Africana and Caribbean Food Fest
FestivalsLeeds
African & Caribbean Food Fest 2025

Calling people of Leeds and beyond! The city’s favourite African and Caribbean Food Fest is back, and this year it’s turning up the heat with Harmony of Colours, a celebration…

Free entry

Where to go near East Street Arts

Leeds
Event venue
Leeds Print Workshop

The workshop is a co-operative, membership-based printmaking studio, open to all those with an interest in print.

Leeds Conservatoire
Leeds
Leeds Conservatoire

Leeds Conservatoire is the largest specialist conservatoire in the UK, delivering expert music and performing arts education to a community of over 1200 students.

South Asian Arts
Leeds
Event venue
South Asian Arts

South Asian Arts (SAA-UK), since its conception in June 1997 has long been recognised as the centre of excellence in Indian classical music and dance.

Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre building
Leeds
Event venue
Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre

The Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre is located in Leeds’ thriving cultural quarter on Quarry Hill, offering an exciting programme of dance, theatre and family-friendly shows.

Leeds
Theatre
Leeds Playhouse

Leeds Playhouse is a hub for world class theatre and hosts a wide range of productions throughout the year.

Gallery
Leeds
Gallery
BLANK_

BLANK_is a Leeds-based gallery, run by the School of Creative Arts at University Centre Leeds. It encompasses a physical exhibition space and a publication that showcases new contemporary visual art…

Leeds
Music venue
The Wardrobe

Located in the city’s Art Quarter, The Wardrobe has been contributing to Leeds’ rich live music offering since its opening in 1999.

Yorkshire Dance
Leeds
Event venue
Yorkshire Dance

With three well-equipped studios, Yorkshire Dance HQ is a super performance venue for dance, theatre and spoken-word events.

Hotel entrance
Leeds
Hotel
Hampton by Hilton Leeds City Centre

Conveniently situated in the centre of Leeds, Hampton By Hilton Leeds City Centre provides air-conditioned rooms, a gym, free WiFi and a shared lounge. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a business centre.

Leeds
Restaurant
Sarto Leeds

Sarto, Leeds’s long-awaited pasta restaurant is a joint project between Laynes Espresso and The Brunswick.

Colours May Vary Leeds
Leeds
Shop
Colours May Vary

You can spend hours browsing in Colours May Vary for unique and hard-to-find greetings cards, stationary, homeware and magazines. Of especial interest are the one of a kind ceramic ornaments.

Culture Guides

Two women stand next to an orange car.
Cinema in the North

August brings a huge LGBTQ+ film festival, plus a reggae classic and a spotlight on Japanese animation.

Theatre in Manchester and the North.
Theatre in the North

From outdoor shows to drama in the dark, our theatre guide celebrates genre-pushing work, new writing and contemporary performance.

Author portrait
Literature Events in the North

Our latest round-up features plenty of one-off live literature events to wrap your ears about, so get those diaries ticking over...

Blondshell by Hannah Bon.
Music in the North

From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.