Derry-based arts charity to develop Circus School and circus arts venue

Derry-based In Your Space Circus (IYSC) has announced plans  to develop the Cathedral School, located at St Columb’s Cathedral in Derry’s Cathedral Quarter area.  

In a unique partnership with St Columb’s Cathedral, IYSC has taken a lease on the stunning  Cathedral School building with plans to refurbish the building into a Circus School and circus  arts venue.  

The heritage building is considered ‘at risk’ and requires significant work internally to make it  inhabitable. IYSC has secured initial funding to embark on a major capital fundraising campaign to  attract funding, investment and donations to enable the organisation to restore and fit-out the  building.  

Both In Your Space Circus and St Columb’s Cathedral are excited to be breathing life back into the  building and reinstating it as a ‘school’, offering access to children, young people, adults and  artists from across the City and region to learn, play and create.  

Robert McGonigle, Parish Administrator of St Columb’s Cathedral said: "St Columb’s Cathedral is thrilled to be entering into a new and exciting era in the life of one of the  most iconic buildings in the city, with In Your Space Circus.

"The Old Cathedral School has gone  through quite a few years of uncertainty since completion of phase 1 of its restoration, and it is with  great expectation that we have agreed this lease with IYSC as our tenant and we're confident it has  the potential to secure the future of the building.

"This is a very important milestone for both  organisations and we will give them every support and encouragement as they progress to  fundraising for the completion of the works and inject life back into the building. The project will be a  marvellous addition to the existing Cathedral Quarter arts family, dovetailing with The Playhouse,  CCA and The Newgate Centre."

The building will be used to deliver circus training and workshops, provide artists with a training  and collaboration space, host events, create artistic productions, develop new tourism products,  and invite international residencies.  

IYSC’s ambition is to nurture local talent and attract artists from outside of the City in their new  circus arts venue. The project will mark a significant milestone in the history of IYSC and will  allow the organisation to reach its full potential. 

Cath McBride, Company Director said: "We have been searching for a suitable home for the past 10 years; which has been  challenging due to the unique requirements of circus.  

"The Cathedral School is the perfect building to house our work in terms of size, location and  historical significance. We are confident that it will mark a significant milestone in our  history and will have an enormous impact on our work with local artists and beneficiaries.  

"We could not be more delighted with this opportunity! We feel privileged to have become the  custodians of one of Derry’s most stunning heritage assets, and despite the fundraising  challenge in front of us, we just cannot wait to get into the building and make it our home!" 

The project has already attracted interest from a range of funding bodies. Early investment  has been secured to get the first phase off the ground and will be used to develop the  project including developing new plans, completing a condition survey, business planning  and fundraising.  

Sarah Jones from Arts and Business NI said: "We are delighted to be funding part of this project through our Blueprint Programme which  aims to help build a strong, vibrant and financially resilient arts sector in NI.  

"IYSC have a brilliant vision for this project which will allow them to both fulfil their potential  and be a fantastic asset to the city." 

"The project’s other springboard funder is the Architectural Heritage Fund, which provides  organisations with seed funding to help shape projects and develop sustainable solutions  which tap into core local community needs. Matthew McKeague, CEO of the Architectural  Heritage Fund said: "As a social investor in heritage, the AHF is excited about the opportunity this project  represents to bring communities together from across the city and to animate both this  special building and the Walled City.  

"We are encouraged by the partnership approach being adopted and are pleased to be able to  provide a Project Viability Grant to help kickstart this vital early development work."  

IYSC will shortly be launching an online giving campaign and will be inviting sponsorship  from local businesses to support the overall fundraising effort.  

For more information about the project, feel free to contact cath@inyourspaceni.org.