Yorkshire Sculpture Park have partnered with Cultural Institute at the University of Leeds for the latest edition of Leeds Creative Labs, a creative research residency that brings together six artists and six academics to explore ideas through collaboration and conversation.

Since its launch in 2012, Leeds Creative Labs has paired more than 150 artists and academics, introducing new interdisciplinary connections that encourage experimentation and ways of thinking. Previous pairings have included astrophysicists with theatre makers, mechanical engineers with choreographers, and costume designers with environmental engineers.

On this programme, pairs are not expected to produce work during the residency period. Instead, they are offered time and space to explore ideas freely, question assumptions, and forge new ground. As a result, participants have gone on to develop lasting collaborations, securing further funding and creating projects that continue to evolve.

The 2026 edition of Leeds Creative Labs focuses on connection — exploring how people, places, and technologies shape our relationships with each other and the world around us. It invites participants to consider how histories and memories influence the present, how digital networks transform communication and creativity, and how we might reimagine our connections beyond the human in pursuit of genuine sustainability.

Alex Hodby, Head of Programmes at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, said: "Collaboration is central to what we do at YSP. This partnership with the Cultural Institute continues our long tradition of supporting artists and creating opportunities for meaningful exchange. It’s exciting to see how this year’s theme of connection will unfold through new conversations between art, research, and place."

Applications open in January 2026, following an online information session for artists and University of Leeds researchers interested in taking part.

Register to join the online information session on 14 Jan to learn more about the latest edition of Leeds Creative Labs. The session is open to artists from across Yorkshire and researchers at the University of Leeds. Attendees will hear from previous participants, explore this year’s theme of connection, and learn how to apply.

Header photo credit: Yasmeen Soudan