School of Creative Arts

Available at the following campuses:

What Our Students Say

“The decision that made me pick between here and other places was when I came to the open day everyone was just really friendly and open, and it just felt like a really welcoming environment to be in.”

Charli

“When I first came I didn’t know anybody at the college but because it’s people you’re surrounded by and people with similar interests to you, you do make friends quickly and you make really close friendships with people because you’re listening to the same things and you’re going through the same things, and you can help each other as well.”

Eve

“When I first came I didn’t know anybody at the college but because it’s people you’re surrounded by and people with similar interests to you, you do make friends quickly and you make really close friendships with people because you’re listening to the same things and you’re going through the same things, and you can help each other as well.”

Eve

Did you know!

  • By 2024, the media labour market in Leeds is predicted to grow by 3.5%, this means the sector will be 2.5% above the national labour market growth. (EMSI, 2019)
  • By 2024, the graphic design labour market in Leeds is predicted to grow by 3.8% (EMSI, 2019)

About School of Creative Arts

Welcome to the School of Creative Arts

Full of energy, music and colour – the School of Creative Arts comprises three vibrant departments: Visual Arts, Creative Media and Digital Arts, and Music Performance and Production.

Join the School of Creative Arts and you will be joining a lively and welcoming community of around 1500 Graphic Designers, Dancers, Musicians, Artists, Actors, Photographers, Musical Theatre Performers, Theatre Designers, Film Makers, Journalists, Games Designers, Theatre Technicians, Music Producers and Textile specialists.

Where will I learn?

Based at our Quarry Hill Campus, we have all the facilities you need to unlock and encourage your creativity. To get an idea of where you could be creating, come to one of our open events and tour our extensive facilities.

Facilities

Art Studios iMac Suites Television Studio
Textile Studio Graphics Studio Industry-standard Theatre
Print Room Mac DAW Production Suites Makeup Studio
Photography Studios Recording Studios Costume Room
Photographic Darkroom Ensemble Room Prop and Set Making Workshop
Animation Suite Gaming Suites Lecture Theatre

Visual Arts:

The Visual Arts Department delivers courses in art, photography, graphics and textiles to over 500 learners. Our Quarry Hill campus is home to wonderful facilities and a highly skilled staff team who have a broad range of specialist skills and sector knowledge. We deliver a varied curriculum at Levels 1, 2 and 3, which includes both practical and academic skills, to predominantly 16-19 learners. We have strong progression opportunities throughout, including opportunities to our growing Access and HE provision.

Based in the heart of a culturally creative city, we are extremely proud of the experience that we offer our learners and make the most of the connections we have.. We are committed to providing work experience and focus on developing personal and employability skills to prepare our learners for their future life and work. Above all else, we provide an environment for our learners to develop their own creative independence to prepare them for their next steps and support them in discovering where those steps may take them.

Contact: Kirsty Allison, Head of Visual Arts

Kirsty.Allison@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

Creative Media and Digital Arts:

Creative Media and Digital Arts is a department of more than 400 learners and 30 teachers delivering media, TV and film, games design, animation and journalism at our state-of-the art Quarry Hill Campus. We deliver a varied curriculum at Levels 1, 2 and 3, which includes both technical and academic skills, to students mostly aged 16-19. Our highly skilled team of specialist teachers and support staff takes pride in developing our students’ personal and employability skills to prepare them for their future life and work. Our ultimate goal is to enable our learners to become independent, skilled individuals who excel in the industry specialisms they have chosen.

Contact: Sarah Robinson, Head of Creative Media and Digital Arts

Sarah.Robinson@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

Music and Performance Production:

To put it simply we bring the noise! Performers, technicians, engineers, designers and musicians combine to create one of the most energetic and lively departments in Leeds City College. Based out of our fantastic facilities here at Quarry Hill, we work across the city with creative organisations and venues. The 500 students and staff in our department share a creative energy, flair and practical problem solving attitude to all the work that we do. Be it musical theatre, dance, acting, DJing, studio engineering, backstage work, theatre design or being part of our 28 bands, students can explore their own creative practice and plan for a long and successful career in the arts.

Contact: Richard Lee, Assistant Principal Creative Arts

Richard.Lee@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

Safeguarding

We are committed to making sure all students and staff are protected from harm. All staff are trained in safeguarding and child protection, and our dedicated Safeguarding team is on hand for advice and support. Don’t stay silent, we are here for you.
Find out more

Employment Statistics

  • There are 1,134 jobs in the media sector in Leeds, which means this sector has increased by 1% compared with 2018. (EMSI, 2019)
  • There are now 1,222 jobs in the graphic design sector in Leeds, which means this sector is currently 35% above the employment national average. (EMSI, 2019)

Average salaries of the careers in this subject area are:

  • Dancers and choreographers

    Average Salary
    £39,520
  • Teaching and other educational professionals n.e.c.

    Average Salary
    £30,160
  • Musicians

    Average Salary
    £42,120