Homepage - Compass Live Art / Compass Festival

© Lizzie Coombes

© Lizzie Coombes

© Lizzie Coombes

© Lizzie Coombes

© Lizzie Coombes

© Lizzie Coombes

© Lizzie Coombes

Every two years, Compass Festival animates the city of Leeds with interactive live art projects in public spaces like shopping centres, markets, museums and the city streets. Compass Festival 2021 ran from March – July and was enjoyed by over 18,000 people.

Find out more about the festival here.

Our latest news

28 April 2022

Compass Live Art - Artist Residencies

28 April 2022

Compass Live Art - Food and Climate Artist Residency

28 April 2022

Compass Festival Student Placements

In 2019 we hosted artist @joshuasofaer as part of

In 2019 we hosted artist @joshuasofaer as part of a Compass Residency to explore the hidden world of Leeds' collectors.

Joshua spent his time in Leeds meeting with people who collect odd and unusual items that might normally be disregarded. Joshua heard stories about what they collect, how they collect them, and why they do it. From novelty tooth picks to tiles stripped from houses bulldozed for the inner ring road.

We currently have an open call to find a new set or artists to host in Leeds.

Applications close at 5pm on the 26th May. For full details and to apply head to the link in our bio.

#collectors #artsopencall #artistresidency #artistoppertunity #leedsart

Come and stay with Compass! Applications are cur

Come and stay with Compass!

Applications are currently open for our Artist Residency Programmes.

We are looking for artists who want to create work in collaboration with the public to take part in a funded residency with us in 2023. Projects may be inspired by a global concern, local issue, particular theme, unique idea or artistic inquiry, or a particular place or community in Leeds. Proposals must hold the public at their heart and require interaction and engagement to “complete” or animate them.

For full details and to apply head to the link in our bio.

📷: Small Acts in residence with Compass in 2019 @nomadicbeers
© @bettylawless

Compass recognises that whilst we must do everythi

Compass recognises that whilst we must do everything we can to ensure our team, facilities, programme and activities are as carbon neutral as possible, our programme is our best tool to have an impact on climate awareness and action.

We are looking for artists that would like to develop creative ideas that engage with the public. Exploring themes, ideas and activities rooted in contemporary science, discourse and innovation around local and global food systems and cultures. To be a part of the Compass Residency Programme in 2023.

To learn more head to the link in our bio, deadline for applications is the 26th of May.

📷: Autobiographical Food by @invisibleflock Compass Festival 2016.

#callouts #artistcommisions #artsopps #artsfunding #SharingisCaring #paidartistresidency #artistsoninstagram #artsjobs #OpenCalls

Applications are now open for the Compass Artist R

Applications are now open for the Compass Artist Residency Programme 2023.

We are inviting residency proposals from artists working in any medium whose practice is based in public engagement – artists who are interested in collaborating with the public to make work.

We are able to provide budgets of £4-8k per residency to include all costs, artist fees, per diems, travel, accommodation, research and artistic materials.

To learn more head to the link in our bio, deadline for applications is the 26th May.

📷: Small Acts in residence @leedsmarket

#creativeindustries #callouts #artistcommisions #artsopps #artsfunding #SharingisCaring #paidartistresidency #artistsoninstagram #artsjobs #OpenCalls

Are you currently a student at any Leeds Universit

Are you currently a student at any Leeds University?

Applications are now open for the Compass Festival Student
Placement Programme.

We are looking for a set of dynamic students interested in a career in producing or marketing to take part in the planning, delivery and evaluation of Compass Festival 2022.

All of the students placements will receive a bursary equivalent to real living wage.

For more info head to the link in our bio, applications close on the 26th May.

📷: @bettylawless

#paidstudentinternships #artsopportunities #leedsart #leedsstudents

Calling all @leedsbeckett Graduates! Compass in

Calling all @leedsbeckett Graduates!

Compass in partnership with @yorkshiredancepictures are looking for a graduate to fulfil the role of Events and Production Assistant.

We are looking for a graduate with a passion for events and audiences to join our team as the Events & Production Assistant. As the Events & Production Assistant you’ll work with two well-established arts organisations based in the heart of the city.

To learn more head to the link in our bio.

Deadline for applications is the 26th May

📷: @imzuuk in residence with Compass © @bettylawless

#paidgraduateprogram #leedsgraduates #artsjobsuk

🧭 Every two years, Compass Festival animates th

🧭 Every two years, Compass Festival animates the city of Leeds with interactive live art projects in public spaces.

🌟 We are delighted to announce that Compass Festival 2022 will take place 18th - 27th November. Mark the dates in your calendars!

🙋‍♀️ We currently have 4 opportunities to get involved with the work that we do

📢 Applications are now open for our Artist Residencies, Student Placements and Graduate Placement Programmes.

🗓 Deadline for all opportunities is the 26th May.

👉 To learn more and apply head to the link in our bio.

#artistopportunity #artistsupport #publicart #liveart #opencall #leedsart #artfestival

Crunchy, Tangy, Puckery & Tart. How would you de

Crunchy, Tangy, Puckery & Tart.

How would you describe the flavour of Leeds?

@popeye_collective would like to know.

📷: @sophie_okonkwo

#rhubarb #flavoursofleeds #leedsproduce #sustainablefood

To mark the end of the #rhubarb season @popeye_col

To mark the end of the #rhubarb season @popeye_collective took members of Bramley Elderly Action to Tomlinsons Farm to gather and process the first of many Flavours of Leeds.

Thank you to @rhubarbrobert for hosting us.

Head to the link in our bio to see more of the process.

📷: @sophie_okonkwo

#flavoursofleeds #sustinablefarming #rhubarbseason

This Earth Day we are sharing our commitment to be

This Earth Day we are sharing our commitment to becoming a more sustainable organisation.

We believe that it is our responsibility to embed sustainable practices into the work that we do.

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint during the planning and delivery of Compass Festival. Working with sustainable suppliers, reducing waste and supporting artists to understand and reduce the carbon budget of creative projects.

Head to the link in our bio to read our sustainability aims.

📷: Ballad of Crown Point Bridge by @amysharrocks © @jma.photo

#earthday #worldearthday #earthday2022 #sustainablearts

You can now purchase The Yorkshire Square Legacy P

You can now purchase The Yorkshire Square Legacy Pub-lication on our website.

Public House is documented through beautiful photographs, writing, reflections, archive material and extracts of transcripts from participant interviews. Showcasing Small Acts dynamic approach to socially engaged art, the publication also signposts readers to ways in which they can support pubs and save their local.

Copies cost £10 each with £3 P&P

Head to the link in our bio to buy your copy!

#saveourpubs #publichouse #publicart #pubs #pubsofinstagram

In July 2021 Public House: The Yorkshire Square at

In July 2021 Public House: The Yorkshire Square attracted over 1500 visitors to its 9 day programme of tap talks, conversations, walks, screenings, live music, and interactive pub quiz.

Join us at the bar at The Holbeck tomorrow at 6:30pm for the launch of the Public House: The Yorkshire Square Pub-lication.

This legacy Pub-lication has been written and created by Katie and Simon to share the project beyond its original live manifestation. Public House is documented through beautiful photographs, writing, reflections, archive material and extracts of transcripts from participant interviews. Showcasing Small Acts dynamic approach to socially engaged art, the publication also signposts readers to ways in which they can support pubs and save their local.

To book a place head to the link on our bio and click on Future Pub.

The performance of Future Pub will be BSL interpreted.

📷: @bettylawless

#publicationlaunch #yorkshiresquare #bsltheatre

Streaming Now: I ASKED FOR WONDER is an experimen

Streaming Now:

I ASKED FOR WONDER is an experimental short film that presents a surreal visual reflection on the director’s personal experiences of othering and misogynoir.

Written and directed by Compass residency artist Amy Lawrence

Learn more about the project and watch the film by heading to the link in our bio.

Team and Collaborators:
Cast: Etta Fusi @henri8a
Producer: Naomi Ayres @squarecherryproductions
Supporting producer: @seunshey
DoP: @ellismeade
Costumes: @rubykirbyy
Art Direction: @claire_drop
Music: @melozed
Funded by @bbcarts and @aceagrams
Developed and produced by @tynesidecinema
Stills: @cynthiacoady_xox
Written and Directed by @_a_lawrence
Trailer: @scoutstuart

Happy International Women’s Day! We would like

Happy International Women’s Day!
We would like to take a moment to celebrate our Board of Trustees.
Our leadership is completely made up of a group of influential, innovative and inspiring women:

Marie Millward
Ellie Andrews
Rachel Auty
Manpreet Dhadda
Fe
Dr Shonda Hunter

We are proud that our governance is female led, you can learn more about our trustees by heading to our website.

#internationalwomensday #governance

If you could time travel into the future and walk

If you could time travel into the future and walk into a pub, what would you like to see?

🍻 Join Small Acts@slung_low on the 26th March as they present their new work Future Pub.

Future Pub is a new live performance by artists Katie Etheridge & Simon Persighetti who presented The Yorkshire Square at Compass Festival in 2021.

This new work debates and celebrates the power and potential of community whilst gathering a deeper understanding of what the pub of the future will look like.

Learn more and book tickets by following the link in our bio.

📷: @bettylawless

#futurepub #newtheatre #liveperfomance

What is your best piece of advice? @empathymuseum

What is your best piece of advice? @empathymuseum spent a week with Compass last year.

Over 100 people gave advice on love, loss, expectations, household hacks, DIY tips, financial expertise, and specialist advice. They met and conversed with a broad range of regular visitors, residents who were new to Leeds (and the UK), and visitors from across the globe, connecting and drawing comparisons across common experiences.

You can read about their time with us by heading to the link in our bio.

#citizensadvise

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