Company Research Report: East Street Arts

Company Overview

• Name: East Street Arts

• Mission: East Street Arts believes that artists will create positive change in the places they live and work. The organization is dedicated to providing essential workspace, resources, professional support, and opportunities for artists and artist spaces, enabling them to develop resilient and sustainable practices and connect with local communities, audiences, and peers across the UK and beyond. By championing creativity and fostering collaboration, the organization aims to be a catalyst for change, shaping a future where artists play a central role in building a fairer and more vibrant society.

• Founded: 1993

• Founders: Karen Watson and Jon Wakeman

• Key People:

• Anita Kumari - Executive Director

• Jon Wakeman - Co-Founder and Artistic Director

• Callum Howe - Studio & Spaces Administrator

• Charlotte Ross - Art Hostel Duties Supervisor

• Hailey Rochester-Argyle - Art Hostel General Manager

• Louise Davies - Graphic Designer

• Matt Bowman - Building Operations Lead

• Matt Collins - Convention House Technician

• Melody Walker - Business Development Lead

• Rufus Newell - Technician

• Wes Foster - Digital Marketing Assistant

• Trustees include Andrew Gillam, Dr. Marianna Tsionki, Jean Dent, Minoti Parikh, Nick Ramshaw, Rodolfo Barradas, Sandeep Singh Sambhi, Tom Poultney, and Will Arnold.

• Headquarters: St Mary’s Lane, Leeds, LS9 7EH

• Number of Employees: No information is available

• Revenue: No information is available

• Known For: East Street Arts is known for providing support and infrastructure for artists, crucially helping develop artist-led spaces, engaging in community projects, and offering educational resources. The organization has become a leader in the artist-led sector by empowering artists to be self-determined and inciting change to improve people's lives and environments.

Products

• Products Offered: East Street Arts does not offer traditional products but provides services and spaces.

• High-Level Description: The organization offers essential workspaces, professional support, and other opportunities for artists to develop their practices and engage with communities.

• Key Features of Each Product:

• Studios + Spaces: Provides permanent and temporary affordable studio spaces for artists.

• Art Hostel: Offers unique accommodation created entirely by artists for visitors to Leeds.

• Projects: Includes ambitious and artistically-led community projects and events.

• Residencies: Offers artists time, space, facilities, and support to develop their practice.

• Consultancy: Provides strategic consultancy for culture-led town and city regeneration projects.

Recent Developments

• Recent Developments:

• Opened the second Art Hostel in 2022 next to Patrick Studios.

• Convention House, an art and technology hub, was established as part of their home base on St Mary’s Lane in Mabgate, Leeds.

• New Products Launched: No information is available

• New Features Added to Existing Products: No information is available

• New Partnerships: East Street Arts is a member of the Culture Consortium Leeds, collaborating to strengthen cultural resilience within the Leeds city region.

News and Events

• Latest News:

• Artist residencies and collaborations such as Linda Granfors’ October residency at Convention House in Leeds.

• Participation in the Leeds Open Studios event.

• Publications and resources focusing on contemporary art challenges and public art projects (e.g., "Shifting Sands" report and "Making Public Art: Add Fuel – Echoes").

Get Involved

• Opportunities: East Street Arts provides artist commissions, open calls, and freelance opportunities, aiming to involve local artists and communities.

• Events: The organization hosts numerous events such as exhibitions, workshops, and city-wide open studio events.

For further engagement, East Street Arts invites you to sign up for their newsletter to stay updated on their activities, opportunities, and events.