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Opportunity! Art Hostel Assistant Manager

NOTE: this opportunity has now closed.

We are looking for an Assistant Manager to join the team!

This role will entail advising on and implementing the smooth running of the Art Hostel’s operations, systems, marketing and customer care, amongst other day to day duties involved in the careful running of a large venue.

Key duties include excellent standards of customer service, supervising booking systems and other administration, staff line-management, training and rotas, ensuring well ordered internal operations including laundry and deliveries and helping with promotion of the Art Hostel. 

If you’re interested, download the job pack below and apply. 

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Deadline: Monday 13th June, 12pm

Salary: £21,000 – £23,000

This role is offered on a full time basis (37.5 hours per week) and will require evening and weekend working over three shift types; Early Shift (8am-4pm), Swing Shift (10am-6pm) and Late Shift (3pm-11pm). Other flexibility can be offered where needed.

Please send a cover letter and a copy of your CV along with your completed equal opportunities form to rosena.stevens@esamail.org.uk.

 

A Transformed new Art Hostel will Open its Doors in Leeds This February

The new Art Hostel is opening in Mabgate, Leeds, in February 2022 and will offer inventive and imaginative accommodation to curious and creative travellers. The radical, transformed space offers beds for up to 60 guests spread across twelve remarkable rooms – affordable and truly unique accommodation for backpackers, artists and tourists alike.

  • A blend of private en-suite rooms and dorms will be available for guests to book
  • The Art Hostel has twelve totally unique and distinctively designed artist-led rooms
  • The independent social enterprise space is opening up as Leeds becomes a hot-bed for creativetravellers. Research from tourism chiefs have pointed to increasing numbers of creative travellers heading to Leeds – and Mabgate was recently named as one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods by a glossy international travel magazine
  • Each room has been individually designed by exciting commissioned artists: including a room focused on 1980’s protest culture, a sensory safe space that has been designed to be accessible for people with disabilities, alongside another room inspired by West Yorkshire’s textile industry
  • Why go to East Berlin when you can come to East Leeds? say tourism chiefs
  • Opening in February, limited press trips to Leeds are available for journalists and media:contact: www.arthostel.org.uk or layla.robleh-davies@esamail.org.uk

    Opening in February 2022, The Art Hostel will be a fun, affordable, comfortable and super creative place to stay. Sure to be popular with artists, musicians and creative people visiting the Yorkshire region, it is ideally placed to welcome travellers as the UK continues to see a “staycation” boom.

    East Street Arts has again commissioned artists to design each space, offering insight into each artist’s mind and artistic practice. The artists have been chosen to breathe life into the new Art Hostel, making a truly original and inspiring space to stay.

    Commissioned artists include

  • Alison Smith, Ziggy Wingle – the artist worked with Shakespeare Primary School, in Leeds, to design a playful and interactive room based on play and primary colours, incorporating children’s games, traditions and imagination into a room that pops with vivid colours
  • Matilya Njau, Green Fingers – local landscaper transformed the East Leeds urban jungle into a calm green oasis, reducing the venue’s carbon footprint
  • Mary and Jiem – It’s Up To You – this creative duo used inspiration from Leeds’ long history of protest movements to create a spectacular room that pays tribute to the radical ideas that have shaped the city’s unique identity
  • Mandy Barker, Ocean Galaxy – this photographer has created a room that explores marine pollution through the medium of found footballs. Laying in bed in the private double room, guests can gaze up at the 769 footballs found around the world as part of this project
  • Precious Collective, The Outside Inn – a space packed with quirky personality and surprises. Imagine a room full of trompe l’oeil furniture through the lens of Dr Seuss
  • Jesse Paul Wright, The Wooly Ewe – a stunning celebration of all things sheep and Yorkshire’s heritage in textile production
  • Caraboo Projects, Tall Tales and Eel Scales – a room exploring mythical travellers, sea creatures and folklore, examining themes around ecology and a vanishing hidden world
  • ViDa, The Rainbow Lodge – using greenery, reclaimed wood and natural materials. This pair of artists were inspired by their nomadic lifestyle, creating a blissful space to escape to
  • Sayang Sound, Rooting – this private twin room has been designed for people with disabilities or those who will benefit from the use of a space like this. The unique space offers an audio, visual and multi- sensory experience that will feel different for every guest. With light and sound operated via remote control, it is a grounded, safe and nourishing space
  • Nelson & Woodward, Snowstorm – this artist duo have created a room that is inspired by a remarkable collection of snowglobes from around the world. A celebration of the joy of travel and discovery, that also asks questions around mass production and commodification

Rhian Aitken, The Art Hostel manager said: “After almost two-years of uncertainty and worry during the pandemic, it’s just amazing that we can finally open up our hostel to travellers. The Art Hostel is a true one-off, there’s nowhere else quite like it. It’s a chance to sleep inside the imagination of a brilliant artist. Our mission is to make this space a really creative, comfortable, vibrant and fun place that shows off the very best of our Leeds’s art, culture and creativity to people from around the world.”

Karen Watson, East Street Arts’, director, said: “We’re so thankful for the artists who have come together in Leeds to make each room so distinctive and utterly creative, together they’ve created a brilliant atmosphere here. We couldn’t have made this happen without them – The Art Hostel is more proof that when we bring local and international artists together in Leeds we can really make something extraordinary happen.

“Our new Art Hostel will be a dynamic and inclusive place that will build financial sustainability for East Street Arts. It will help to make Leeds’ creative economy more resilient and support diverse artistic practice in the wider region by connecting people right here in Mabgate. We can’t wait to finally get it open in February!”

Belinda Eldridge, Head of Destination Marketing and International Relations at Leeds City Council, said: “We are thrilled about the opening of the Art Hostel in Mabgate in February. The vibrant city of Leeds is well known for its extensive arts scene, and is becoming increasingly popular with tourists as more people are looking to experience the creative spirit of our city. Not only will it provide affordable accommodation for visitors, but it is also located in an up-and-coming quarter of Leeds, making it an even more exciting prospect for the city. “We’re looking forward to working closely with The East Street Arts team to showcase some of the world-class arts and creativity on offer here in Leeds. From street art and contemporary galleries, to pioneering performances from our exceptional theatre scene – you don’t have to go as far as East Berlin when you can explore East Leeds?”

Art Hostel Map & Guide

A new Art Hostel Map & Guide sharing the highlights of the city, must-see places and exciting activities across Leeds. More to come soon…

Art Hostel Hospitality Assistant – Kickstart Placement

VACANCY NOW CLOSED.
Eligibility criteria for Kickstart applicants: Aged 16-24 Claiming Universal Credit In receipt of no other earned income.

The Art Hostel is a social enterprise for East Street Arts, a charitable organisation that focuses on contemporary visual artists. The core aims of East Street Arts are to offer space, opportunities, support and resources to artists and those working with artists, supporting the development of a strong visual arts infrastructure locally, nationally and internationally.

The Art Hostel is a new and unique venture, located on the edge of Leeds city centre and is East Street Arts’ largest social enterprise to date. Trialled with a 3 year pop up hostel in a temporary space, it hosts in a completely different way, making accessible and affordable accommodation available to all, whilst welcoming audiences from all over the world to engage in a new cultural experience.

The successful candidate will assist the Art Hostel team with the day to day tasks involved in the smooth operation of the Art Hostel. This entails maintaining and exhibiting excellent customer service standards, and taking part in all housekeeping and administration duties to make certain they are completed to the desired specifications. You will ensure that our guests always receive the best possible experience.

In addition, the Hospitality Assistant will help to maintain our relationships with the creative and cultural organisations and individuals within our network, and assist in the continued development of our ideal of the ultimate visitor experience of Leeds.

Job Description:

The Art Hostel Hospitality Assistant will be involved in all aspects of Art Hostel life.

This includes customer care; cash handling; updating the booking system; responding to emails and other general administration; preparing and receiving laundry deliveries; working with and assisting our local volunteer team and our live-in volunteers, and helping to ensure that housekeeping and cleaning jobs are completed to the highest standards.

  • You will be hardworking and reliable, with good timekeeping and interpersonal skills. Keen to meet new people and learn new skills, not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get involved, and available to work evenings and weekends when we are at our busiest.
  • You will also work with the team to ensure the building is COVID-19 safe for visitors and staff, ensuring the highest health and safety standards are maintained.
  • You will always be aware of and help to promote the good image of the Art Hostel.

Responsibilities:

  • Ensuring all customer service needs are met
  • Maintaining our high standards of housekeeping and cleanliness
  • Responding to bookings, answering emails, general administration and some social media
  • Assisting volunteers to complete their duties
  • Taking cash and card payments, and cashing up
  • Assisting with deliveries and laundry services
  • Generally assisting with the smooth and successful daily operations of the Art Hostel

Essential skills, experience and qualifications

  • A good communicator; comfortable meeting, welcoming and talking to people.
  • Excellent work ethic, attention to detail and timekeeping.
  • Courteous and pleasant attitude.
  • Good telephone manner and IT skills.
  • Experience in public-facing or customer service roles would be advantageous but full training will be given.
  • Enthusiasm for The Arts.

Hours: 25 per week

To apply: Talk to your Work Coach at JobCentre Plus about being referred to apply for this placement

Applications close: 14 June 2021

Graphic Designer Needed! (Who identifies within the QTIPoC or Disabled Community)

As the big opening day of our new Art Hostel edges closer, we have an exciting opportunity for a Graphic Designer who identifies within the QTIPoC (Queer, Trans, Intersex People of Colour) community or within the Disabled community (inclusive of mental Illness, chronic illness and Neurodiversity). 

We’re looking for designers with experience / or knowledge of accessible print and digital design, to redesign an alternative Leeds Map & Guide for our new Art Hostel in Mabgate, Leeds. 

You will be using content created by a group of contributors from relevant communities, who are looking to form an inclusive guide of Leeds.

We’re working with a group of collaborators across intersections and communities in Leeds, to look at what an inclusive and accessible guide of things to do in our city could look like.

Please send examples of work/portfolio & website (if you have one) and a little bit about yourself to Hannah Platt at hannah.platt@esamail.org.uk 

Deadline for submission 23 May 2021

We want your tapes! Open call for videos from the past

Help bring commissioned artist Emma Bentley-Fox’s nostalgic vision for her Art Hostel room to life!

She is asking for your retro videotapes – your dusty old VHS tapes of lost movies, cult classics and blockbuster hits from the past.

Her Art Hostel room will contain a working VCR and she’s cultivating a collection of old school favourites from the 70s/80s/90s to complete the experience.

Do you have any old videos stashed in the attic? Could you help? Please contact Hannah on hannah.platt@esamail.org.uk

Volunteers needed for the Art Hostel

Summer is almost here, and so is East Street Arts’ brand new Art Hostel in Mabgate, Leeds.

Before we start welcoming travellers to this new vibrant home-from-home, we are looking for volunteers to join our team!

We welcome help in all aspects of the day-to-day running of the Art Hostel, from offering hospitality and caring for our guests and helping to organise, promote and run events to general housekeeping, administrative duties and hands-on practical work.

You’ll play a vital role in running the hostel & providing our guests with the very best service.

To join our team, or to find out more, please contact Rhian & Hannah at arthostel@esamail.org.uk

Welcome HOME!

From Seeding Art Currency we’ve grown HOME – the Art Hostel’s debut art residency project.

In participation with artists Sherelene Cuffe, Bobbi Rae, and Jude Woods, you’re invited to explore what ‘home’ now means. These three Leeds-based artists share here some glimpses into their artistic response.

As Steve Ali eloquently states, the pandemic ‘has made us all refugees in our homes’, so, has this confinement changed what home means forever?  As participants’ responses are a central part of the ‘art’ of HOME, we’d like to hear what you think, so tell us on Twitter and/or Facebook and tag #WhatDoesHomeMeanNow. Your responses will later  (when safe) nourish, in different ways Art Hostel residents, staff, and volunteers. For more details view our programme.

HOME Comforting or Confining?

Sheri stitching
Sheri stitching in gold on a wedding dress

Sheri literally threads in gold, a poetic response to her reflections (of home), and explores what home means now, through responses from friends and family near and far.

See event

HOME Objects and Structure

Jude's Bender
Jude’s bender structure

Jude is building a bender, a temporary shelter, an object they first found used in peace camps in the 1980s. With the addition of a nest, this one though has a different purpose… 

See event

HOME Actions and Making

Bobbi Rae - Digital drawing
Bobbi Rae’s digital artwork

Bobbi takes an abstract, interactive approach to create physical and digital objects which are derived from conversations about home. 

See event

HOME Portrait

…is to be a (downloadable) catalogue as well as an installation for the Art Hostel,  made from participant responses, peas, and storage jars.  

See event

We look forward to hearing from you on Twitter via @TheArtHostelLeeds, using the hashtag #WhatDoesHomeMeanNow

Explore the Virtual Art Hostel below:
Below you can view the programme for HOME which includes details of the various activities taking place.

Fancy talking sh*t with Louise?

Visual and sound artist, Louise Mackenzie explores our material relationship to the environment and for the Art Hostel, she is researching how we can contribute to the circular (bio) economy through our relationship with human waste for an installation in our toilet facilities. Louise will be interviewing members of the East Street Arts Team as well as local experts on the subject for a sound installation and she would like your help to collect visual material for the project.

Taking the idea of the toilet as a location for self-expression, Louise wants to collect your contributions to the discussion – in written or visual form – which will be incorporated into the design of the facilities, like graffiti on a toilet wall. Working on the basis of the anonymous toilet scribbler, she’d like you to share your stories, frustrations, musings or even make a political statement for others to read whilst using the conveniences. Maybe you have a story about using or needing the toilet that you are willing to share: What’s the worst/fanciest toilet you’ve ever used? Do you have a recurring toilet themed dream?

What’s your favourite toilet related artwork? Have you had a traumatic roadside experience or perhaps in another country? Maybe you have great ideas for the future of the humble loo: Would your ideal toilet wash your bum whilst playing your favourite podcast? Or do you prefer a hole in the ground on a remote camping trip? How do you think we should dispose of household and human waste? Do you have or have you used a composting toilet? Maybe you have questions you want answered: Why is talking about toilets (and what goes into them) so difficult? Why are there no good public toilets anymore? Where does all the crap go? Where do the homeless go to the loo? Is a composting toilet a good idea for the Art Hostel?

Please send in your scribblings to us at East Street Arts. You can send by post if you wish to remain anonymous or you can specify that you want your contribution to remain anonymous if you can bear to email us at hannah.platt@esamail.org.uk.

Please send any contributions to the following-

East Street Arts FAO Hannah Platt
Patrick Studios
St Marys Lane
Mabgate
Leeds
LS9 7EH

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