Our Mission

Our core mission at Ilkley Arts is:

To promote and celebrate the arts in Ilkley and surrounding areas to enrich the lives of residents and visitors.

To support and help the development of our exhibiting artists.

We work closely with local organisations such as Art School Ilkley and Ilkley Manor House Trust to achieve our mission. We run art workshops and promote art events by local artists throughout the year, as well as attracting artists from further afield to exhibit and work with us at the Ilkley Arts Open Exhibition first launched in 2023. We are always keen to hear from new artists who want to get involved or who have work they would like to promote.

Our organisation is governed by our Board of Trustees which oversees the many activities initiated and managed by our Artists’ Advisory Committee made up of Ilkley Arts members. We are always on the lookout for new members to join or even just assist the Committee, so do get in touch if you’re interested or if you have a bee in your bonnet you’d like to see fly!

About Us

Ilkley Arts is a charitable organization dedicated to fostering and promoting the arts within the Ilkley community, we are run by volunteers. Through a variety of programs and events, Ilkley Arts supports local and national artists by providing platforms to showcase their work and engage with the public.

Key initiatives include open studios, which invites artists to share their studio space with the public, and pop-up art galleries that feature diverse collections of original artworks. These events not only highlight the creativity of the artists but also offer opportunities for the community to interact with and purchase unique pieces.

Additionally, Ilkley Arts hosts Art School Ilkley, offering classes and workshops for all skill levels, and maintains a studio space for artists to create and collaborate. We also run an artist directory to connect artists with potential patrons and collaborators. By organizing open studios and other public exhibitions, Ilkley Arts enhances the cultural landscape of Ilkley, making art accessible to all.