Innovative arts space in Leeds

The eye-catching Pop Up and Play pavilion, which will host a two-week programme of free activities and events outside Leeds Art Gallery.

Youngsters will have the chance to make environmentally-friendly junk sculptures, craft their own bird feeders and create origami birds under the dome from this Sunday to Sunday August 5.

Some of the programme will be inspired by the gallery’s Natural Selection exhibition, which celebrates the diversity of natural forms and explores different ways of looking at natural history. A takeover day by Leeds-based Inkwell Arts on Friday July 27 will include activities inspired by the exhibition.

Later in the programme artist Andy Holden will help children create their own comics on July 31; and August 4 will see Yorkshire Sculpture International take over the space from 11am until 1pm then 2pm until 4pm after working with community groups across the city.

Leeds City Council Leader, Coun Judith Blake, said: “This exciting and innovative space will bring hundreds of families together at the heart of the city centre to explore and experience culture and the arts in a fun and engaging atmosphere for free.

“Our ambition is for culture to be an integral part of all aspects of life in Leeds and making the wonderful exhibitions hosted by our museums and galleries accessible to people of all ages plays a huge role in accomplishing that.”

Sarah Brown, programme and projects co-ordinator with Leeds Art Gallery said artists, architects and audiences would transform Victoria Gardens into an “extraordinary programme of activity”.