Archipelago Theatre

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Archipelago Theatre

archipelago arts collective makes new, bold and generous work that brings people together! Instagram:
Website: www.archipelagoarts.co.uk

04/09/2026

👋HEY FREELANCE ARTISTS!

We’re soft landing back at archipelago HQ after a brilliant week on our first ever Makers' Lab; but if you thought that this was the only opportunity for freelance artists this ‘Makers' Month’, YOU THOUGHT WRONG!

We’ve got lots of exciting projects coming up and we’re looking to meet artists to work with!

Right now we’re particularly looking for:
Textile Artists
AND
Established or Emerging Community Artists/Facilitators across a range of practices
WHO ARE based in or near Leeds

🫵If that’s you, fill in our quick freelancer form now and we’ll be in touch ASAP: https://forms.gle/8iDyT4jrwiX6hUMVA

🤔If that’s not you but you’re an artist and want to connect with us, you can still use this form to get in touch! (Just in case you hate sending cold emails like we do!)

🤞If you want to know more about our work and meet us in person, there’s still some spaces left to join us at our Makers: In Collaboration event in Sheffield on 18th Sept 1-4pm and link up with loads of other brilliant artists!

Phew! Now to unpack the biscuits… Happy Friday!

28/08/2026

🌼 We’re kicking off our annual September Makers’ Month by going OOO for a week for our inaugural* Makers’ Lab!

We’re going to be spending a few days in Hope (literally…!) with a rotation of just some of the amazing artists in our network to develop new projects on the archipelago slate (watch this space 👀) and to give freelance artists space and support to develop projects independently, beyond the scope of the archipelago creative universe (watch this space, too 👀). Thanks to the support of Unlimited Theatre through their final round of UnAwards that have made this possible!

We’re going to be back next Friday with lots more Makers’ Month, including: A Freelance Pool Call-Out; Makers’ In Collaboration (18th September- https://www.ticketsource.com/archipelago-arts-collective/makers-in-collaboration/e-jpblkm); our monthly September blog (11th); and some project announcements…

* Yes, that’s right, we’re making this an annual thing and are fully intending to be going back OOO next year with another rotation of artists! Our inboxes are always open for artists to introduce themselves!

24/08/2026

Monday Makers Motivation! 💪✨

🤔 Thinking of coming to our 'Makers in Collaboration' event on Friday 18th September, but don't know if it's for you?...
❓ ...Let us answer the questions!
🎟 ...And get booking: https://www.ticketsource.com/archipelago-arts-collective
💬... Or drop us a message if you have any other qs.

See you there! 🫡

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Image Des.:
1) Thinking of coming to Makers in collaboration but don’t know if it’s for you?

2) Makers is archipelago arts collective’s artist development programme. Our hub for providing opportunities for artists including training, workshops and events. Opportunities for artists to explore their practice generously and be bold to make new things when given the right support.

3) Makers in Collaboration is our second annual makers event, after last year’s makers in the face of doom - a reckoning of challenges in the arts. Makers in Collaboration is an afternoon of activity where artists can learn from great collaborations and build the skills and networks to forge the best connections to make their own work.

4) How will it work? The afternoon will be split into 2:
1) Case-studies of great collaborations with Q&As.
2) Active drop-in collaboration toolkit workshops on producing partnerships, idea generation and kind leadership.
+ live illustration & performances!

5) This event is for anyone who has a practice in the performing arts. And this event is for any career stage, you might have made loads of work or be just starting out. They’ll be opportunities for learning and sharing practice across the board. The more ideas the better!

6) Will it be good? Here’s what last year's artists thought: “It was just what I needed creatively. It's given me so much to think about as I move on with my own projects.” “Restorative, enjoyable, moving, honest.” “Indepth, Engaging, Needed.” “Invigorating. Fun. Thought-Provoking. Warm.”

7) How do I sign up? The event is free and bookable via ticket source at the link in our bio. We ask all attendees to fill in an access form before the event, so we can make sure we’re providing the right support for everyone to make the most of the afternoon!

8) See you there! Friday 18th September, 1-4pm The Carpenter Room @ Sheffield Central Library

12/08/2026

MAKERS! We're hosting our second annual event for artists to find solidarity and power together 💪

This time, supported by the brilliant team at Culture Sheffield, we're creating space for artists to explore collaboration. This will be an afternoon full of activity including:
📢 case study presentations of great collaborations
📝 practical round table workshops to build a useful toolkit to realise your ideas
💭opportunities to build new collaborations
🎭 performances

Important details:
📆 Friday 18th September
⏰ 1 - 4pm
📍 The Carpenter Room, Sheffield Central Library
🫖 Yes, there will be hot drinks and biscuits (vital)
🎟 Book your free space now: https://www.ticketsource.com/archipelago-arts-collective

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Image description:

Page 1: Two artists, one with a guitar smile together. The text reads, Makers in Collaboration. Friday 18th September, 1-4pm, The Carpenter Room @ Sheffield Library.

Page 2: Text reads:
An afternoon of activity to empower and equip freelance performing arts artists to centralise collaboration.

Helping you to find the people and places to realise your artistic ideas and the confidence to make these collaborations thrive!

Free and bookable now via the
link in our bio!

11/08/2026

Calling all Luddites! 🔨 Our exhibition in collaboration with Leeds Industrial Museum and local volunteer curators, Ludd in the Machine opens in ONE WEEK!

Come join us to delve into an immense history of rights and solidarity movements in Yorkshire and beyond, from the Luddites to now! There will also be loads of ways to creatively explore the themes of this exhibition with a host of workshops coming up across the next year.

Find more about the exhibition and the wider project here: https://www.archipelagoarts.co.uk/an-awakening

Poster:
🎨 AW-AR Studio
📸 Karol Wyszynski
👤 Alex Hargreaves

Image description: A black and white image of a Luddite with his hand on a textile loom. An orange pattern of crosses covers the image. The text reads: 18 August 2026-13 August 2028. An exhibition on workers' rights and trade unions from 1812 to AI. Ludd in the Machine.

27/07/2026

Calling tech hoarders of Leeds 🔌 your local exhibition needs you 🫵

For our upcoming exhibition, Ludd in the Machine, made with Leeds Industrial Museum and Volunteers we’re asking you to empty your crap drawers (We know you’ve all got one!)

Please generously donate:
- The lighting cables that are letting you down
- Your obsolete phone chargers
- That weird audio cable that only people like know the purpose of
- Anything that’s giving more Junk than Juice

Hand them over to the gorgeous folk working behind the desk at Leeds Industrial Museum, maybe even tie it in with a visit to this amazing museum 👀

03/07/2026

📰🤝JULY BLOG IS LIVE NOW!

This month, before we take a summer break this August, here is the first in a two-part series exploring how active human collaboration is not only at the centre of our work, but feels more vital than ever.

PLUS recommendations including: Common/Wealth, Tramlines, BBC Radio 6 and more!

🔗 Read it now: www.archipelagoarts.co.uk/latest-news/july-26

05/06/2026

📰🔨 JUNE BLOG IS LIVE NOW!

This month, in reflection on our ongoing collaboration with Leeds Industrial Museum, including on their upcoming community-curated exhibition (exciting details to come)... we’ve pulled together a set of thematic provocations and suggestions for how we can, quite easily, address systemic issues without changing our behaviour much.

PLUS recommendations including: Stand & Be Counted - SBC Theatre, Wool Fest at Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, Boards Of Canada, Olivia Rodrigo and more!

🔗 Read it now here: www.archipelagoarts.co.uk/latest-news/june-26

01/05/2026

📰✊ MAY BLOG IS LIVE NOW!

This month, following on from a great couple of weeks working with Leeds Conservatoire’s Actor-Musician Cohort and considering what it means to build a sustainable career as an artist, and what advice you might give to someone just starting out, (or go back in time to tell yourself) we’ve enlisted the help of two absolute icons, Kathryn Hanke and Emily Snooks, to talk about the trajectories their careers have taken and what success means to them.

PLUS recommendations including Angélique Kidjo, National Theatre's Connections, Kate Ireland, Beyoncé and the World Snooker Championships.

🔗Read now here: https://www.archipelagoarts.co.uk/latest-news/may-26

Address

Sheffield

Website

http://www.archipelagoarts.co.uk/

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