Children and teenagers from Leeds are being invited to film a message to their future selves as part of a new national filmmaking competition launched by the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts (PQA).

Colin Neville is the curator of the website Not Just Hockney. As I am featured in his list of artists on this website, he kindly informed me recently about a very interesting gentleman called Thomas Ablett. I immediately felt a connection to this artist.

Hundreds of primary school pupils from nine North East schools have come together to re-enact Shakespeare’s illustrious comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Led by Theatre Royal associate artists, the feast of creativity from almost four hundred nine and ten year olds comprised a series of classroom workshops across Newcastle’s West End.

After the amazing response to the recent children's art competition, I didn't envy the judges’ job of picking a few winners and runners-up. There was an array of styles and mediums from ages four to eighteen. I wanted to show the world all the talented artists, but it would take a whole newspaper to include everyone.

The

The faces, characters and stories of Leeds take centre stage this summer in a new exhibition by acclaimed artist and performer Mik Artistik, on display at Armley Library from 15 June to 11 July 2026. For more than 40 years, Mik has drawn the people of Leeds wherever he finds them – in pubs, libraries, bus stations, cafés and on street corners.

An episode of Doctor Who of several years ago featured a cameo role for Vincent Van Gogh. Uplifted from the Arles of the 1880s by the good doctor, and deposited in the present-day Musée d’Orsay, the artist is reunited with many of his canvasses at an exhibition curated by an art expert (Bill Nighy).

Prism Arts, a disability arts organisation based in Carlisle, has announced that two of its studio artists — Emma Evans and Stuart Irving — are currently exhibiting work at major galleries across the north of England. The exhibitions, running through spring 2026, highlight the breadth and ambition of the creative work emerging from Prism Arts and the artists it supports.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) has announced the appointment of Joe Hill as its new Director and Chief Executive. His appointment marks the organisation entering a pivotal phase looking ahead to its 50th anniversary in 2027.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) has added three significant new outdoor sculptures to the landscape by Vanessa da Silva, Auke de Vries and Damien Hirst, each offering thought-provoking encounters with contemporary art in the open air.

“Everything I wanted to say about Frederick Delius is in the film!” So revealed Eric Fenby soon after its emergence. SONG OF FAREWELL, the 1982 documentary on Fenby's relationship with the great Bradford-born composer and his role in facilitating his final pieces, is being screened at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.

Ripon Museum Trust has appointed Dobson Construction Ltd to begin an ambitious £3.3 million redevelopment of the Victorian Ripon Workhouse Museum & Garden. The Inspiration For A Fairer Futures project, made possible through funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and other major donors, will breathe new life into one of the UK's most complete surviving workhouses dating from the 1850s.

A hundred year old historical oil painting has been re-created outside a Cumbrian Wetherspoons for an exhibition at the Art Gene gallery. Regulars looked on in amusement as three men in period dress sat down at a table outside The Furness Railway in Barrow-In-Furness and started mixing a drink.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) has announced its 2025 Yorkshire Graduate Award winner as Sheffield artist Jim Ever. Ever is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work spans sound, collage, assemblage, image-making, video, installation, and sculpture.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) has appointed Dr Alexandra Hodby as Head of Programmes, following her successful interim tenure in the role. Dr Hodby began her early curatorial career at YSP from 2000-2006 but returned with more than 19 years of experience across leading cultural institutions.

The Ferens Art Gallery has launched the first of a series of adult art and craft workshops, starting this week (Saturday 13 September). Whether you’re keen to explore new creative skills or revisit something you have enjoyed before, with expert guidance these new workshops offer a unique and enriching day out to remember in one of the city’s most beautiful buildings.

Newcastle Theatre Royal has opened its doors to an elegant, design-led new bar which aims to broaden the iconic building’s connection with the wider community.

The National Trust has announced the opening of its latest exhibition, Whispers of the Wilderness: Exploring Wilderness Gardens, at Beningbrough Hall’s Reddihough Galleries. Running from 2 September 2025 to 12 April 2026.