Creative Lives in Leeds: a guide to the city’s creative scene

Affordable artists’ studios, a creative hub in a disused petrol station and the headquarters of Channel 4: these are all things that can be found in Leeds. As a cornerstone of the North's creative industries and arts scene, the city offers a welcoming community alongside plenty of opportunities. Artist, designer and writer Liv Collins shares her insider tips for navigating the city.

What kind of creative city is Leeds?

Leeds is a fab place to build a creative career, especially if you're interested in community-focused opportunities, music, TV, production and collaborating with kind people who are doing cool things. Plus, it's a city that's actually affordable for emerging creatives.

Advice for getting started

Put yourself in new rooms, spaces and places. You can be scared and still be brave. I've been pretty anxious before most of the events I've gone to in Leeds, but it's part of being a creative in a new city. Everyone feels it at some point. Show up scared and see what happens – it gets easier, I promise.

Places to meet people

Being a creative can be lonely, but Leeds is a welcoming, arty and community-driven city. There are so many places to find new friends and projects that will genuinely fill up your cup.

Communities to join

If you’re trying to build connections in the city, these are some of the communities and events worth knowing about.

Studios to know

Leeds has a strong presence in the media, film and digital industries, and is home to Channel 4's national headquarters. Here are a few of the city's most exciting studios to get on your radar.

Cost of living: the reality

You can live happily in Leeds as an early-career creative. There are lots of inexpensive cafes (like the Left Bank), affordable studio spaces and free creative and networking events. I'm currently renting a studio at Assembly House for £145 a month including bills – a fab price for a good-sized space that also comes with support and resources.

Like any city, there are more expensive areas and cheaper areas to live in. Lots of creatives live in Burley, Armley and Kirkstall, where you can find a room in a flat share from £350 a month (without bills), or a 1 or 2 bed apartment for roughly £750-£1,200 a month. Rent is definitely increasing across the city and the cost of living has gone up, but there's still plenty of affordable housing options to be found.

Some Leeds creatives have full-time jobs and mould their creative practices around their work. Some are freelance. Others work part-time in creative, teaching or hospitality jobs and then dedicate the rest of their time to personal projects. Creatives might receive grants to support their work, like DYCP from Arts Council England, or get support from Universal Credit. There's no 'right' way to be a creative.