Leeds Black Art, Charity & Enterprise Festival

As part of ‘The Stalls Leeds’ Black History Month programme, to illuminate and champion inspiring Black talent of African and Caribbean heritage, we bring you: ‘Leeds Black Art, Charity & Enterprise Festival’, with the support of Leeds City Museum. This three-day festival seeks to celebrate Black-led businesses, charities, organisations, and artisans. Much of the activity will help to raise funds to make the festival an annual must-visit. It also commences our journey to setting up an arts and events centre in Leeds that welcomes and works with all people but prioritizes showcasing and supporting the work of Black people in their endeavours. Day 1: Friday 30 September 2022 Celebrating Black-led Organisations & Businesses - Leeds This event is an opportunity for like-minded Black-led organisations and businesses to celebrate each other, showcase their wares and services, and network effectively. The event aims to initiate conversations and gather feedback about experiences over the last two and a half years as the world has experienced monumental events, igniting periods of reflection and a need for change and action: Covid-19, the murder of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter. How have these events affected organisations and businesses? During the event, exhibitors will collaborate in workshops to brainstorm ideas for new initiatives (akin to Black Pound Day or 100 Great Black Britons). The most popular initiative, as voted on by exhibitors, will be taken forward with the aim of it exclusively benefiting them as a collective. Day 2: Saturday 1 October 2022 Black Artisans – “You Are Not Alone” This showcase brings together talented Black artisans based in Yorkshire, whose bodies of work have been carefully curated to deliver an awe-inspiring day. Artisans will share their experiences of the art scene and their chosen creative fields, and invite visitors to the event to view their incredible work. Throughout the showcase there will be artist talks, demonstrations, live art and taster workshops. The event culminates with a Q&A session between artisans and attendees. As Black artisans, we can often be the only person of African and Caribbean heritage showcasing work at an event. Black Artisans – “You Are Not Alone” is two-fold in concept; it is an event to extend our support to our chosen exhibiting Black artisans, in a environment very different to the usual one, which can be very isolating, whilst also inspiring ALL new and emerging makers to carve out a professional creative career. Day 3: Sunday 2 October 2022 Inspirational – An Artist & Maker Exhibition The festival culminates with “Inspirational – An Artist & Maker Exhibition”. There will be a rich eclectic mix of vibrant curated works - decorative and functional to adorn buyers and their homes. This inclusive exhibition invites artists and makers of all races and abilities to submit work that pays tribute to African and Caribbean culture, heritage and history – past, present and future. The exhibition includes the works of exhibitors from the showcase Black Artisans – “You Are Not Alone” who have been tasked with a special brief of creating art pieces that take influence from African & Caribbean Art techniques and processes.