FAQ’s

Do I need to book?

Yes, because we keep the group quite small (max of 8 artist attendees) you will need to reserve a spot by buying a ticket on Eventbrite beforehand.

Is there a limit on numbers?

Currently our limit is 8 attendees, as this strikes a nice balance of not being too long an event, but every artist still getting a good portion of the time.

Is there a cost?

Tickets are £2-£5-£8, but if this is a barrier to you just get in touch, we want to accommodate all. While at the event, you may wish to buy a drink, but don’t feel the need to!

What are the different ticket types?

We offer a sliding scale of prices, split into 3 ticket types. Our ‘Standard’ ticket is £5, which reserves you a spot at the event. We offer a couple of £2 ‘Access’ tickets per event, for those where cost may be a barrier (Of course if this is still a barrier for you, please do contact us and we shall accomodate you the best we can!) We also offer a ‘Supporter’ ticket for £8, which reserves you a spot at the event much like the ‘Supporter’ and ‘Access’ tickets, but also gives a little more back to The Art Crit through a small donation (Maybe you want to help where you can, really believe in us, or are simply feeling generous!) This optional dontation will help us keep up with running costs and help faciliate growth of the event.

I missed out on a spot! Is there a waitlist?

There is a waitlist option on Eventbrite, and if a space becomes available we will let you know via email.

I bought a ticket but I can no longer make it! Do you do refunds?

Yes no problem! if you let us know up to 3 days prior to the event, we can issue a full refund. This gives us time to offer your place to the waitlist or fill the spot. If something unforeseen comes up closer to the time or on the day, just get in touch and we’ll see what we can do.

Can I come every time, or just once? Or just every now and then?

Whichever suits you! we have artists who attend pretty much every time, some who come every few months, and those who just attend as a one-off. It all depends on what you need, how much accountability you want, etc.

Who can attend?

Any artist can attend, whether you're a professional, early in your career, an amateur, or a student. We welcome everyone who wants to share their work and learn from others, regardless of experience level.

I’ve never done a crit before! Will I get some help?

No problem, we usually ask the group at the start who has or hasn’t done a crit, and we explain how a crit works, as well as helping with prompts along the way if needed.

What kind of artwork can I bring?

You can bring 2D works, 3D works, sketchbooks, or digital devices like tablets and laptops to show photos and videos. Whatever best represents your practice is welcome.

What should I bring?

Bring whatever feels right for you. You can bring a single piece, a whole pile of sketchbooks, or nothing at all. Just bear in mind we're usually meeting in a pub, so anything too big (or still wet!) is probably best left at home.

If you don't have work to bring, simply bring yourself and your questions or thoughts.

Do I need to bring something to take notes?

Not necessarily! you can bring notepads/sketchbooks for the ideas and recommendations, but we do provide sticky notes and pens if you need them. These are also helpful for writing on and giving to other artists when giving them info, or if you suddenly think of something and don’t want to interrupt the current speaker.

Do I need to formally present my work or speak?

Not at all. You can talk about your work if you'd like, or simply show it to the group. Sometimes 'blind' feedback can be really helpful – you can learn a lot from people's first impressions and initial questions.

If you'd rather just observe, that's absolutely fine too. There's no pressure to speak if you don't want to.

How does presenting work? Do I need to prepare?

Presenting your work is informal and conversational. You can explain your process and invite questions, or let others interpret the work first before sharing your own perspective. It can also help to think beforehand about what you'd like advice or feedback on – whether that's a particular piece, your process, or a broader question about your practice.

What if my work is unfinished?

That's absolutely fine. You don't need to bring finished work. Sketchbooks, works in progress and developing ideas often lead to some of the most useful discussions.

How do crits work?

Each artist gets dedicated time to discuss their work with the group. The host helps guide the conversation, keeps things moving, and makes sure everyone gets a chance to contribute. It's structured enough that everyone has time to share, but the atmosphere is relaxed and conversational.

Will the feedback be honest but kind?

Yes! From previous experience, the crits have found a really good balance between honest thoughts and ideas, critical thinking, and kindness. If there's a particular kind of feedback you're looking for, just let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate.

What makes a good crit?

A crit is about offering constructive feedback, not criticism. That might mean suggesting ideas for development, recommending artists or books for research, asking thoughtful questions, or simply highlighting what's working well. The aim is to have an open discussion that helps move the work forward.

What if I don't have work to share or I'm feeling creatively stuck?

That's absolutely fine – if anything, it's potentially the best time to come along. We can chat about your creative block, talk through practical questions, or discuss where you'd like your practice to go next.

What kind of art do people bring?

We've had a real mix so far: painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, film, poetry and sound. Bringing together lots of different kinds of creative practice has made for some really productive discussions.

Will I feel out of place if I come on my own?

Not at all. Most artists come on their own, and more often than not they don't know anyone else there. The host makes introductions to take the pressure off, and it's always lovely to see artists arrive as strangers and leave feeling part of their local creative community.

Is it structured or informal?

A bit of both. Everyone gets dedicated time to discuss their work with the group, but the overall vibe is informal and easy-going. The host simply nudges things along every now and then to make sure everyone has a chance to speak.

How long does each crit last?

It depends on how many artists attend (usually between five and eight), but on average each person gets around 20 minutes. It doesn't sound like much, but it's amazing how much concentrated discussion can happen in that time.

Will there be time to chat afterwards?

Of course! We usually find that people hang around for a while afterwards, and the host always sticks around too. It's a lovely chance to carry on conversations and get to know the other artists. We also send a group email the next day (we check if this is okay with the artists) so that everyone can find each other on socials/continue conversations after the event.

I don’t want to share my email/socials with the group or be in any photos!

That is absolutely fine, we always check with everyone at the start of the session what they are happy with. Although it’s a small group, we still respect everyone’s privacy.

Are all ages welcome?

Of course! We regularly have artists of all ages attending, and it's always a really varied group.

How do you choose the venues?

We alternate between Leeds city centre and the suburbs, so different parts of the city get a chance to host. We look for relaxed pubs that aren't too busy or noisy, and try to find a tucked-away table or room that's quiet, well-lit, and still within easy reach of coffee (or pint) refills.