Kirkstall Art Trail is an annual celebration of art in the community featuring local artists and creative organisations. For two days, 21st and 22nd July, venues throughout Kirkstall will host a variety of exhibitions, free workshops and activities suitable for all ages and abilities. Now in its fourth year, KAT is looking for artists, makers and creative organisations based in West Leeds and the surrounding areas to take part in the weekend-long celebration of creativity. By West Leeds and the surrounding areas, we mean Kirkstall, Horsforth, Headingley, Burley, Hyde Park, Armley, Bramley, Calverley, Farnley, Farsley, Pudsey, Rodley and Wortley.

The Art Trail is a free event which aims to inspire local engagement with the arts and celebrates the creative talent in and around Kirkstall. It is organised entirely by local volunteers with a passion for arts and community.

Each year a wide variety of venues across Kirkstall open their doors and become exhibition spaces and workshop venues for just 2 days. Last year’s venues included Kirkstall Abbey, a unit at Kirkstall Bridge Shopping Park, a camper van, an allotment, an office, a pub and a selection of private residences and studios. In 2017 we had over 1000 visitors over the weekend, taking part in workshops, talking to artists and exploring the area!

This year our main site will be Kirkstall Abbey where the committee will be on hand to welcome visitors and volunteers.

For the 2018 event, we are looking for:

·       Artists and makers to exhibit and sell their work

·       Creative organisations to showcase their talent

·       Artists to run drop-in workshops for all age groups and those aimed specifically at young people in the 11-18 age group.

·       Volunteers to help prepare resources for the art trail before the event and/or for general support on or before the day

The Art Trail offers a unique opportunity to exhibit and sell your work in an unusual venue and we would like applicants to think outside the box when it comes to displaying their work. Our venues are very different to a gallery setting and work cannot simply be hung on walls. We ask that our artists engage with the public as much as they can and we encourage artists to give demonstrations or lead workshops/activities relating to their practice. We can provide some funding for materials required for workshops and demonstrations.

This year we are seeking workshop providers for drop-in workshops focussed on young people aged 11-18, as we would like to boost the participation of this age range. If funding is secured we hope to be able to offer two providers £100 per day plus materials. We would also be very interested to hear from any artist wiling to work with a local secondary school to deliver a project.

Please choose the relevant application form (artist, workshop, volunteer) from the drop down menu to make your application.