Derry-based 'In Your Space Circus' awarded £140k Lottery Heritage Fund grant

In Your Space Circus (IYSC) has announced the award of a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £140,000 for an exciting heritage project that will reinvigorate the former school on London Street, just outside the grounds of St Columb’s Cathedral.

As new custodians of the Old Cathedral School, the money will facilitate the Derry-based arts charity to develop plans for the use of the building as a circus school and performance venue, deliver community and volunteer engagement programmes, build the capacity of IYSC’s board of Directors, secure professional advice and guidance, and fundraise for the capital elements of the project required to fit-out the building’s interior.

This work will ultimately transform the stunning historic building into a flagship circus arts venue in the City.

The funding was announced at a launch event held at the Cathedral School involving The National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside support funders Arts & Business NI and the Architectural Heritage Fund. The event also featured performances by local circus artists, Cikada Circus, and participants from IYSC’s Youth Circus.

Both In Your Space Circus and St Columb’s Cathedral are committed to breathing life back into the building and reinstating it as a ‘school’, offering access to children, young people and adults from across the City and region to learn, play and create. It will also support IYSC’s ambition 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 allowing the organisation to reach its full potential. Using circus as the vehicle, there will be exciting opportunities to explore the heritage of the building, the city and the circus art form.

Commenting on the award, 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 perfect for our work and our future aspirations for people of all ages to engage with our impactful work.

“We feel privileged to have become the custodians of one of Derry’s most stunning heritage assets. We could not be more delighted with this opportunity and the support received thanks to National Lottery players!’’

Youth Circus participant Guillermo and Eve and performance artist Candie, with from left, Robert McGonigle, Cathedral Administrator, Cath McBride, company director, IYSC and Olive Hill, NI Committee member, The National Lottery Heritage Fund. (Photo: Lorcan Doherty)

Olive Hill, Northern Ireland Committee Member at The National Lottery Heritage Fund added: “This award of £140,000 is part of our ongoing investment to help unlock a sustainable use for the former Cathedral School, one of the few buildings with direct access to the City’s walls.

“In Your Space Circus’ vision to reinvigorate the space will add to the cultural life of the City, ignite imaginations, inspire creativity and offer a space for all to access and enjoy. We wish them every success as they put in place their plans which have been made possible thanks to National Lottery players.”

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 the project and inject life back into the building.”