About Us
Studio12 is an award winning digital media initiative run by Leeds City Council Libraries that invests in the creative talents of disadvantaged young people aged 16-30 living in Leeds and surrounding areas. Studio12 strives to provide young people with a creative process to educate, engage and include them in producing new work. It provides free access to a production studio, training and an industry panel of creative professionals to create avenues into work.
The space houses a fully equipped studio with a wide range of industry based multimedia, video, photography, music equipment and software packages. People accessing Studio12 are encouraged and supported to work towards attaining an accredited qualification and portfolios of work in line with Industry developments.
It has a consistent track record of working with thousands of young people each year from disadvantaged, excluded and non-university backgrounds with a reputation for producing the next generation of media experts for industry and high end projects.
Studio12 undertakes commissions and large-scale projects to fund the free programme of activity for young people, where they are able to participate and contribute to live projects for experience and portfolio’s. Studio12 accredited courses are in partnership with the Breeze Arts Foundation, or funded programmes of work that allow us to fund qualifications.
Studio12 membership allows young people to build portfolios of work that are tailor-made to the industry. We link with industry partners to ensure our young people are learning and developing the right skills and portfolios that are required.
We provide mapping tools to enable young people to find routes into the creative industry and provide support into education. We provide start-up information and support through the Libraries Business and IP Centre which has a high success rate of engaging with long-term unemployed people.
“If you want to be moved, inspired and impressed this is where to look; some extraordinarily powerful work produced by some of the city’s newest emerging talent.” Sally Joynson – Chief Executive, Screen Yorkshire
“Studio12 gave me the portfolio and experience to get my dream job working at The Mill in London.” Finlay, Studio12 Participant
Studio12 is unique to Leeds libraries and has been running since 2003. During this time Studio12 has worked with young people from diverse backgrounds to produce new work and learn new skills within the media arts industry. The project has attracted wide attention with high profile projects, and successes of young people showcasing their talent, gaining work, setting up businesses, retuning to education, and life changing success stories.
The studio has a strong track record of delivering successful projects, high quality work and commissions with work regularly showcased and highlighted at key events. The Studio has been awarded European Outstanding Project of Excellence, highlighted at the Libraries and Archives Council as a development within the library service, been a Finalist at the CILIP Libraries Change Lives Award, talked about at Number 10, and championed by Martha Lane Fox and the Children’s Commissioner. Studio12 has been commissioned to produce high profile bid films for European Capital of Culture, Euro-cites and Channel4, created heart felt films for the Children’s Commissions “Growing Up North” and the Diversity team for Leeds City Council, produced projects for the British Art Show, BBC 1Xtra and the British Library.
Our
Core aims
Engage
Engage with diverse young people living in the most deprived areas of Leeds.
Create
Create a unique learning experience using new technology and non-digital resources
Enable
Enable young people to become the producers of new media content
Empower
Empower young people to transfer and further develop their skills in new environments
Provide
Empower young people to transfer and further develop their skills in new environments
“The Studio is accessible to everyone around Leeds and has working equipment. The atmosphere is brilliant and the amount of information we learn could assist in the preparation of our futures within the entertainment sector.” Tamsin Cook, Studio12 Participant.
“If it wasn’t for this place I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I’ve created my first music video, mixed tracks and used software I can’t afford at home…. If Studio12 wasn’t here I’d be lost, I don’t know what I’d be doing…. Studio12 brings hope to places.” Pakman, Studio12 Participant
“Final shout from Leeds goes to Studio12. Great project using music, film and Internet to help young people – love their ambition + ideas.” Baroness Martha Lane Fox
Address
Open Hours
Tuesday - Friday: 1pm – 5pm
Weekends: Closed