Find by need
Current ways to apply, submit, volunteer, learn, perform, publish or otherwise take part in York's creative life.
Current listings
Opportunities are actionable routes: calls, submissions, commissions, jobs, volunteering, funding, residencies, courses, workshops, competitions and comparable ways to participate.
Free York filmmaker networking event designed to help people meet collaborators and connect with BFI NETWORK talent-development staff.
Useful for: Filmmakers who need contacts, collaborators or a first connection with regional film-development support.
Next step: Check the event page and register for 14 October 2026.
Check source for current availability
Free monthly creative workshops for adults in York, designed as a welcoming route into making without requiring previous experience.
Useful for: Adults who want to try creative activity without already having skills, materials or a creative network.
Next step: Check the current Creative Café dates and booking instructions.
Ongoing route
York-based publisher and zine project promoting local authors, submissions and literary events.
Check source for current availability
York-rooted spoken-word collective programming poetry slams, workshops, open mics, gigs and performance opportunities.
Periodic opportunity
York-rooted independent publisher of poetry and prose, with a submissions route for strong completed projects.
Check source for current availability
Second-hand bookshop supporting Amnesty International, with book donations and volunteering opportunities.
Ongoing route
York Centre for Print offering letterpress and book-arts workshops, memberships, equipment access, events and collaborative publishing activity.
Ongoing route
University of York programme of public readings, conversations and workshops with contemporary writers.
Periodic opportunity
Professional training seminar in York for booksellers, librarians and collectors covering the rare and second-hand book trade.
Periodic opportunity
York board-games convention with public play, independent traders and a playtesting zone relevant to tabletop creators.
Useful for: Tabletop creators who want to meet players, see independent games and understand a public playtesting environment.
Next step: Check the 23–25 October 2026 programme and playtesting information.
Check source for current availability
Major York rare, antiquarian and out-of-print book fair bringing booksellers and book-related trades to the city.
Periodic opportunity
York St John hub for writing events, projects and publications, working with literary and community partners.
Check source for current availability
Public adult and evening creative provision covering routes such as drawing, painting, printmaking, pottery, sculpture, jewellery, digital work and photography.
Useful for: Adults who want structured practical learning in art, 3D/material practice or photography outside a university degree route.
Next step: Check the current adult Art & Design course list and entry information.
Periodic opportunity
Public adult creative courses including current routes in music production, songwriting, recording and screenwriting.
Useful for: Adults who want structured practical development in music production, recording or writing for screen.
Next step: Check the current adult Performance & Production course list.
Periodic opportunity
York creative network offering community membership, local information, opportunities, events and routes to find other creative people.
Useful for: Independent creatives who want a broad local network rather than an institution-specific route.
Next step: Read the current membership information and join if the network fits what you need.
Ongoing route
City adult-learning route offering current art, design, photography, music and singing courses at different levels.
Useful for: Adults who want an accessible taught route into or back into creative activity.
Next step: Search the current York Learning course catalogue by creative subject.
Periodic opportunity
York literary festival presenting author events and book-focused programming, with additional events beyond its main annual festival period.
Periodic opportunity
Established York photography society with meetings, project activity, competitions and exhibitions, with routes for prospective members and guests.
Useful for: Photographers who want local peers, regular activity, feedback and routes toward exhibiting work.
Next step: Check the current programme and visitor or membership information.
Ongoing route
Regular open-mic spoken-word event in York welcoming readers and listeners, usually on the first Tuesday of the month.
Ongoing route