Empowering creative, practical action towards healthier, more resilient citizens & neighbourhoods. WELCOME! Please do get in touch if you have any ideas!
Welcome to Open Source Arts; a place to practice community in a creative way, in a homely urban warehouse setting. Opportunities and ideas are presented to us all the time. We have created this space and filled it with resources and fantastic people, to enable ourselves and our community to act on these opportunities and ideas. We have called it Open Source Arts, because this is a space which is o
pen to everyone who wants to work together to develop themselves or their communities through nurturing creativity and collaboration. Whether you're an enthusiastic amateur, professional artist, performer, maker, or a community group or collective - Open Source Arts exists for you. We're here to give space, time and support - to facilitate the learning of new skills, and to provide a creative incubator for your events, collaborations and projects. . We look forward to meeting you.
The support we offer each other and our community comes in several forms. We have physical space for making, training and practising, filled with workshops, masterclasses and regular open training sessions. Our studio has multiple aerial rigging points and Harlequin Allegro dance floor, plus crash mats and inch mats. We have a practical, well-resourced manufacturing workshop for creating in wood, metal, textiles and painting, with offsite provision for laser cutting and CNC routing. We also have a cafe area, with fully fitted commercial kitchen and provide catering for events both in and out of house. The cafe kitchen is designed to be an available community resource and social space, with WiFi and seating suitable for either eating and socialising, or for meeting and catching up on some work. In addition to this, the space is staffed by passionate, creative people with years of experience in these disciplines, who are always happy to offer advice and support as your project develops.
We have a varied and extensive training programme ranging from introductory workshops and courses to specialist masterclasses, covering everything from clowning to C.A.D and vegan cookery. Our open training sessions provide opportunities for all, from enthusiastic amateurs to professional artists and makers, to access high quality facilities and equipment at a low cost on a shared basis, after an initial induction. We also offer the space for hire at a reasonable price to a range of groups and organisations for one off events, such as fundraisers, gigs and meetings. Alongside this, we collaborate on a range of community gatherings with local groups, including open mics, urban retreats, solstice celebrations and one day takeovers! Takeovers are unique events curated by innovative local collectives and supported by us, usually featuring live music, performances, DJs, stalls, food, drink and workshops.
Open Source Arts LOVES Leeds, LOVES Culture, LOVES people and loves keeping it lit for community and culture, prototyping, celebrations and community. We are moving premises (earlier than we expected) and we need some support with the move. Your support will help us with the essential costs of temporarily putting things into storage whilst we finish BUYING OUR OWN BUILDING!!!
If you can donate it will help us with the really essential costs we are experiencing at this time including:
- Temporary storage
- Van rental and transport for stuff to storage
- Volunteer expenses for folks helping out with the moving and shaking
- Little bits of professional tradesperson time for things we can’t do ourselves
- Rental of big storage boxes for the short time things are in storage (massive crates etc.)-
Open Source Arts on the move (phase 1)
Help Open Source Arts to store all our equipment and resources while we prepare to create a fantastic new community arts venue for Leeds.
18/05/2026
Creativity & Wellbeing Week is happening at Open Source Arts this Thursday, with two sessions to explore creativity and slowing down a bit.
Ecstatic Drum Circle - 5:15pm
A free session of drumming, movement and creative play with Ben Deutsch ( ). Bring a drum if you’ve got one, or borrow one here.
Flow State Activation Sound Bath - 7:30pm
A relaxed evening of journaling, breathwork, movement and immersive sound, designed to help shake loose creative blocks and make a bit more space in the mind. With Neeta ()
Both sessions are open to everyone - no experience needed.
Tonight, Live from The Loft in Holbeck, Emily Portman with Support from Elm - on the door tockets still available.
Send a message to learn more
18/03/2026
Congratulations to Emily Portman () - On the upcoming release of the album - Dominion of Spells
See Emily with support from elm (.folk), in person, live, forward facing and unmistakeably human.
Live at The Loft - 7pm:
The Warehouse In Holbeck, Crosby Street, Holbeck
Leeds, LS11 9RQ
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Please share, invite all you know who may be interested.
Dominion of Spells. Available to pre-order now! Signed Deluxe hardback CD books featuring lyrics, artwork by Gwen Burns, and retellings of the stories behind the songs.
Limited Edition Black and Green LPs also available.
Emily Portman with supporting act Elm: Live at The Loft
Saturday 21 March | 7pm
Next weekend!
We’re really pleased that Elm (.folk) will be opening the evening.
Elm’s songs draw on traditional folk roots with a thoughtful contemporary voice, a lovely way to begin a night of storytelling and song.
Emily Portman () follows with music from her long-awaited new album Dominion of Spells, joined by Lucy Revis (cello) and Louis Campbell (guitar). Expect powerful songs steeped in folklore and transformation.
“Entrancing and unsettling… marvellous, original work” - Observer
Please share with friends, those interested in folk music in and around Leeds, the time is near.
05/03/2026
Leeds folk! 🌿✨
I’d love to see some friendly faces at Live at the Loft on 21st March at Open Source Arts Leeds💛
I’ll be there with brand new music and a brand new line-up and I can’t wait to share it with you.
Who’s coming?! 🙌
If you know any folk lovers in Leeds, I’d be so grateful if you spread the word. Let’s make it a special one ✨
Tickets & info: https://opensourcearts.co.uk/event/emily-portman-live/
Alan Bearman Music
02/03/2026
Emily Portman: Live at The Loft
Saturday 21 March at 7pm
In just under three weeks, Emily Portman brings her new album Dominion of Spells to Leeds.
A rare chance to see her perform new solo material up close. Joined by Lucy Revis (cello) and Louis Campbell (guitar).
Rich harmonies, banjo and piano and songs rooted in folklore, transformation and sharp, contemporary storytelling.
Described by The Observer as “entrancing and unsettling… marvellous, original work.”
If you’ve been meaning to catch this one, now’s a good time to book. :)
🎟 £18 / £14 / £8
📍 The Loft, Holbeck
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