Local Resources
Leeds is bursting with resources to help you discover and reach your creative ambitions. Below is a list of companies, spaces and resources that are available throughout and after your studies, with most of them being run by graduates of the conservatoire.
Looking to find out more about your benefits at Leeds Conservatoire as graduate? Head to our alumni benefits page.
If you are an alumni of the conservatoire and would like to have your business listed on this page, please email EaE@lcm.ac.uk.
Music
- Rehearsal rooms
- Recording studios
- PA hire
Rooted in the history of Leeds’ music scene, Old Chapel Music Studios are a long-standing gem, fighting to make music accessible for all. As well as playing a part in the stories of some of Leeds’ best-known bands – including the Kaiser Chiefs, Embrace, and Red Lorry Yellow Lorry – Old Chapel Music aims to support young people, emerging artists, and community groups, giving everyone equal access to facilities and the chance to learn.
- Recording studios
- Photography Suite
- Training
- Accredited Qualifications
- Film Studio
- Graphic Design
Studio12 is a digital media project for people aged 16–30. It provides free access to a production studio, training, accredited qualifications and an Industry Panel of creative professionals. Studio12 is run by Leeds Central Library, and offers a fully equipped studio with a wide range of multimedia, video, photography, music equipment and software packages. Studio 12 has consistently supported young people from disadvantaged, excluded and non-university backgrounds – with a reputation for developing talent to produce the next generation of industry media experts.
- Instrument Repair
- Buying, Selling, Renting & Trading Instruments
The Leeds Hobgoblin branch opened in 2010 right in City centre and possesses a range of services including buying, trading, selling, rentals and repairs. As well as the full Hobgoblin range of Guitars, Mandolins, Banjos, Free Reed and other instruments, the shop stocks an extensive range of Percussion, tutor books and songbooks for various instruments. Moreover, they have a specialist violin department, with a large range of violins, violas and cellos from the student instruments and upwards.
You can also contact them for a no-obligation quote regarding repairs for: Ukulele, Bouzouki, Mandolin, and Guitar (setups and restringing), Accordion, Melodeon and Concertina, Woodwind, Brass, specialist Violin maintenance (setups and repairs, bridge and peg fitting, bow repairs,) Banjo or Drum skin replacement, and much more.
- Funding Opps
- Workshops
- Artist Support
- Panel events
Launchpad supports the music sector across Yorkshire, providing and signposting to advice, funding and opportunities - for artists, music businesses and music industry professionals.
Support, guidance and access to resources is available through their Advice Portal, regular workshops, panels and conferences.
Twice a year, in March and September, they invite applications for targeted support for emerging artists, musicians, producers, bands, composers and music professionals in the Yorkshire region through access to individual industry advisors, live opportunities and funding for recordings, project delivery and personal development. They also partner with PRS Foundation for its regional PPL Momentum Accelerator funding, providing grants for artists from the region at a tipping point for national success.
Theatre
The Northern Broadsides Young Writers’ Forge is a group of ten 16-25 year-olds from across the North who want to try their hand at writing a short play.
Starting with the fundamentals of playwriting, the group will meet fortnightly with Northern Broadsides Resident Director, in a series of workshops, script-readings and one-on-one surgeries, to develop their own short plays.
The project will culminate in a research and development workshop for each writer with professional actors, including a recorded extract of each piece.
Application details and dates updated on the Northern Broadsides website.
Red Grit is a unique actor training programme. For over 14 years Red Ladder Theatre Company have offered high-quality, intensive actor training at no cost to the individual, in Leeds.
The course was created by Rod Dixon (Artistic Director) as a way of sharing the Red Ladder approach to acting. From creating a character to developing relationships and working as an ensemble, the course offers insight into the tools and techniques used in the Red Ladder rehearsal room. Every session is led by Rod, who brings over 40 years’ experience.
A typical Red Grit course will run for 8 evening sessions across 8 weeks or 4 weeks.
Leeds Playhouse's artist development programme, which supports local creatives and helps to generate new work, is known as Furnace.
Sign up to the newsletter & receive a monthly email from Furnace Producer Rio Matchett packed with information about free artist workshops, events, career opportunities, vacancies, and ticket offers from the Playhouse and from our friends across the region.
General
- Library Facilities
- Music equipment hire
- Self recording facilities
- Manuscripts
- Orchestral & Vocal sets
Since 1949 Leeds Central Library has housed The Music Library, providing a contemporary, cutting-edge service, renowned as the ‘go to place’ for music in the city. The Music Library provides access to a wide range of professional music equipment, instruments, software, hardware, and self-recording facilities, with spaces for reading, researching, listening, and interactive displays that inspire users to engage with our unique collections of manuscripts and early printed music.
The set-lending-service now boasts 3,000 Orchestral sets and over 300,000 vocal sets; a collection matched by few others; which are available for loan to groups throughout the UK. The book stock now has a specialist collection of over 10,000 items with a wide range of resources for both teachers, students, and hobbyists. It houses current music periodicals and has an extensive rare back catalogue of bound journals dating back to 1800s.
- New Business support
- Business events
The Business & IP Centre Leeds provides free support to new and existing businesses, or anyone with a business idea in Leeds and West Yorkshire.
BIPC Leeds can support you to research your market, protect your ideas, find guidance and more. You can also learn business skills and hear inspiring speakers at their events, online and in person through Eventbrite.
