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IOU Creation Centre
IOU Creation Centre
IOU Creation Centre
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Description
IOU is a UK-based arts organisation with a 50-year history of creating experimental, interdisciplinary work that blends performance, visual art, engineering, and technology.
Based at Dean Clough Mills, Halifax, the IOU Creation Centre supports artists to take creative risks and collaborate across disciplines, developing new work that connects communities, landscapes, and ideas. IOU’s long-term vision is to establish Calderdale as a vibrant hub for experimental art and rural innovation, linking local creativity to a global stage.
IOU has created a rolling 6 month opportunity for artists to live, work and develop their creative practice at the IOU Creation Centre Hostel, Hebden Bridge.
The Artist in Residency opportunity is open to artists specialising in any art form interested in IOU’s approach. The residency includes living rent and bill free in a self contained artist apartment to develop their practice and create an art project in response to time spent living at the Hostel.
During their residency artists have the opportunity to lead a workshop at the Hostel or the IOU studio and to hold a final exhibition of their work
Outcome
Artists are invited to respond to the IOU Archive — a 50-year record of pioneering experimental and site-specific performance — and to create a new work that reflects IOU’s innovative approach to art, engineering, technology, and the environment.
The residency forms part of IOU’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2026, culminating in a public presentation of the commissioned artwork.
Accommodation Information
6-month live-in residency at IOU Hostel, Hebden Bridge.
Private self-contained space with kitchenette (vegetarian only), shower, toilet, and both double and single beds.
Shared vegetarian kitchen, dining, and laundry facilities (IOU Hostel is the region’s only fully vegetarian hostel).
Access to gardens, woodlands, and desk space for reflection and research.
On-site parking and transport links to Manchester, Leeds, and Halifax.
Studio Information
Full access to IOU’s Creation Centre in Halifax – including studio, gallery, and workshop facilities.
Use of IOU tools, rehearsal, and making spaces, by arrangement.
Creative mentorship from IOU’s artistic team, connecting you with specialists in interdisciplinary practice, engineering, and digital arts.
Professional development support, including guidance on fundraising and production planning.
Technical Information
IOU has a variety of spaces where artists can work, collaborate and develop projects.
Their primary space is 626m2 of workshops, studio and galleries at the IOU Creation Centre, Dean Clough, Halifax.The large, light studio and workshop is suitable for all types of creative activities and over the years this space has seen a wide variety of artists using it to develop their work – for rehearsals, R&D, workshops and performances.