About Northlight
Northlight is an artist-led Community Interest Company based in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, creating opportunities for people to make art, develop creative skills and connect with others.
We run a year-round programme of art classes, creative workshops, community art groups, talks and events, alongside opportunities for people to work independently in a welcoming artist studio environment.
Our programme brings together professional artistic practice and community participation. Some activities are ticketed, helping us support a wider programme that includes affordable and Pay As You Feel creative opportunities.
We believe everyone should have opportunities to experience creativity, regardless of income, experience or background.
What We Do
We programme artist-led art classes, workshops, courses and talks across a wide range of creative practices.
Our programme includes painting, drawing, pottery, printmaking and other creative workshops, alongside talks exploring art, artists and art history.
Sessions are led by practising artists, makers and experienced creative professionals, giving people opportunities to learn directly from people actively working within the arts.
People can join us as complete beginners, return to a creative practice or continue developing existing skills.
Access & Community
A core part of Northlight is making creative activity accessible.
Our Pay As You Feel art groups in Leeds help reduce financial barriers to taking part, creating regular opportunities for people to make art, develop skills and connect with others.
We aim to create a welcoming environment where people can participate at their own pace and where previous artistic experience isn’t required.
We also work with community organisations and partners to develop creative projects and reach people who may experience financial, social or other barriers to accessing arts and cultural activity.
Supporting Artists
Northlight is artist-led, and supporting artists and creative practitioners is an important part of our work.
We create paid opportunities for practising artists, makers, tutors, speakers and other creative professionals through workshops, teaching, commissions, events and collaborative projects.
By connecting professional artists with communities, we enable artists to share their knowledge and skills while giving participants access to high-quality creative experiences.
We also want Northlight to be a place where artists can develop ideas, connect with audiences and become part of a wider creative community in Leeds.
A Place to Make
Northlight isn’t only somewhere to come for an art class.
Our Open Studio sessions create opportunities for people to develop their own work alongside practising artists.
Bring something you’re working on, reserve a table or easel and spend time making in the company of other creative people.
Basic art materials are available from our community art trolley, helping people experiment without having to invest in lots of equipment before they begin.
It’s part of our ambition to make Northlight a place where creativity can become an ordinary part of people’s lives.
The Building
Northlight is based within Northlight Arts Centre in Leeds, where we have our own adjoining art room and working artist studio.
Our spaces are equipped specifically for creative activity, with tables, easels, drawing boards, a projector and shared art materials.
Alongside Northlight’s own programme, the spaces are available for creative space hire by artists, tutors, arts organisations and community groups looking for an equipped space in which to deliver workshops, classes and creative projects.
Partnerships
Partnership working enables us to extend the reach of our programme, share resources and create opportunities that would be difficult to achieve alone.
We work with community organisations, charities, artists, cultural organisations and public-sector partners to develop and deliver creative activity in Leeds.
Our partners include the Royal Voluntary Service, Irish Arts Foundation, JazzLeeds, Arts & Minds, Aspire (Community Links), Leeds City Council, and a growing network of professional artists and creative practitioners.
Why Creativity Matters
We believe access to creativity can contribute to wellbeing, confidence, skills, social connection and a sense of belonging.
Making something alongside other people can provide a reason to come together, an opportunity to learn and experiment, and a way of becoming part of a community.
Our aim is to remove barriers to participation while maintaining high-quality artistic experiences led by practising creative professionals.
By combining community access, artist development and earned income, we’re working towards a sustainable model that allows Northlight to continue creating opportunities for people to make, learn and connect through art.