BARNSLEY Civic has been awarded a £235,000 grant to support a new project aimed at celebrating its 150th anniversary - bringing the total amount raised over the last month to a massive £1m.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund grant will be used to launch CIVIC150, a two-year project working towards to the building’s 150th birthday on January 25 2028.
Barnsley Civic (originally the Harvey Institute) was built in 1877 and inaugurated in January 1878 as a Mechanics Institute and Public Hall.
It served as a cultural hub for over a century before closing in 1998, later reopening in 2009 after a redevelopment, with the main historic Eldon Street entrance fully restored in September 2024.
The scheme officially kicks off with a pop-up exhibition on Saturday May 23.
Barnsley Civic are inviting people to share their photographs, programmes, documents and personal stories as part of this.
The project will feature a series of public events, talks, tours, performances inspired by the memories of this beloved local landmark and there’ll be plenty of opportunities to get involved and share your stories about the Civic.
Funding will also be used to
support targeted conservation and access improvements, including the repair and reinstatement of the distinctive 1877 geometric encaustic tiled floor across the entrance foyer; research to inform a revival of the building’s historic decorative scheme; and the reopening of the grand double staircase.
This set of funding comes after the charity received a total of £805,165 as part of Arts Council England’s Creative Foundations Fund.
The Civic say that the funding will enable the creation of a new community cafe and bar space for the revived Eldon Street entrance, while also finally reopening part of the building that has been sitting unused under the main theatre for nearly 20 years, helping create a new 600-plus capacity music and events venue.
Dr Daniel Winder, CEO and artistic director, said: “With this funding, and our recent successful bid to the Arts Council, in the last month we have raised over £1m to help revive and revitalise our beautiful home.
“As we look forward to our upcoming birthday we want to hear from everyone in Barnsley who loves the Civic.
“We need your memories, and your hopes and dreams, to tell the full story of our past and help to shape our shared future.
“Call in to find out more or share your own story with us at 150@barnsleycivic.co.uk”
