11th-20th September

Artists & makers! Apply today to participate in our 10 day ‘art trail’ event ‘Art In Arcadia’ to be found throughout the arcades of central Leeds this September.

Art House in conjunction with the National Trust’s Heritage Open Days is once again running a 10 day-long showcase of local art and craft throughout the arcades of Leeds City Centre from Friday 11th to Sunday 20th September 2026, in celebration of the wonderful and unique heritage Leeds has as part of its boutique shopping provision, widely admired throughout the region and country.

This is our 4th year organising this event accompanied by our distinctive fold-out art trail maps to be found at all participating venues.

HERITAGE OPEN DAYS

This will be a unique opportunity to showcase your work as part of the prestigious Heritage Open Days which is an annual celebration of creativity with an emphasis on heritage coordinated nationally each year by the HODs team, part of the National Trust, which benefits our participating artists with national publicity.

2026 THEME

The Heritage Open Days theme for this year is ‘Everyday Stories’.

That is the inspiration, but participating artists are not necessarily expected to follow the theme. It’s there if it tickles your fancy or inspires you. It could also help your chances of increased visibility for the Heritage Open Days national media publicity aspect of the festival. But it remains your choice.

PARTICIPATING ARCADE SHOPS

We are asking the shops in the arcades to support artists by either providing temporary wall space or window space.

MAPS, PROMOTION & PUBLICITY

Art House will produce and distribute specially designed promotional Art Trail maps throughout the city indicating artists spots at allocated venues within the arcades of Leeds City Centre. Additionally, the event will be promoted on social media and various platforms, channels and across local media.. Newspapers, TV and radio will be approached with a press release.

Art House will initially match where possible or allot a shop venue for participating artists.

Artists will be notified of any successful allocation by 11th August.

Please be aware there is naturally limited capacity for artists to participate in this event but we shall endeavour to include at least 10 artists for ‘Art In Arcadia’ 2026.

Don’t delay .. APPLY TODAY!

Paul

LEEDS ARCADES:-

Leeds Corn Exchange (LCX)

Victoria Gate (next to John Lewis) (VG)

Grand Arcade (GA)

Queens Arcade (QA)

Thornton’s Arcade (TA)

Central Arcade (CA)

Victoria Quarter:-

– County Arcade (Victoria Quarter) (CAVQ)

– Victoria St Arcade (Victoria Quarter) (VSVQ)

– Cross Arcade (Victoria Quarter) (CRVQ)

‘Art in Arcadia’ in partnership with Heritage Open Days, 11th–20th September 2026

‘ART IN ARCADIA 2025’
12th-21st September

A great big thank you to all our shop venues for hosting all our great artists and makers.

Our shops have included Northhome in County Arcade, Olive & Rye Restaurant in Queens Arcade; Kapow Coffee and Masato Jones in Thorntons Arcade. Also, Flamingos Coffee in Central Arcade, and Sea Salt Cornwall in Victoria Gate.

Thank you David Iredale and the TSG team at The Sculpture Gallery in Leeds Corn Exchange for hosting and acting as our event hub for Art In Arcadia 2025.

The Sculpture Gallery is one of only a few sculpture galleries in the country and is well worth a visit at any time.

We look forward to See you all in 2026