Harmony Works Trust has secured £3.5 million in funding from Arts Council England to transform the historic Canada House in Sheffield city centre into a vibrant new home for music education.
This latest pledge follows the successful award of £4.7 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, announced last week, and adds to the project’s growing support base, which also includes funding from the Architectural Heritage Fund, Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the UK Government’s Levelling Up Funding, and multiple local trusts and foundations.
Harmony Works Trust, awarded official charitable status in August 2023, purchased the Grade II* Listed Canada House from Panache retail brand last year. The combined £8.2 million investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England will help fund the building’s transformation into a new regional home for music education – creating a high-quality practice, rehearsal and performance destination.
“We are absolutely thrilled to receive such strong backing from Arts Council England,” said Emily Pieters, Project Director at Harmony Works.
“Alongside the funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are now in a very strong position to fully refurbish Canada House and deliver on our long-term vision of creating a new home to inspire and nurture the creative potential of young people and their communities.”
Cllr Martin Smith, Chair of Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, joined Emily Pieters in welcoming this announcement, adding: “Culture runs through every community in Sheffield, and we are committed to putting it at the heart of everything we do.
“Harmony Works will be a home for inspirational music education and opportunity in our city. Not only will this benefit young people across South Yorkshire, but this further funding will also allow us to protect an important heritage asset.”
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “From the Arctic Monkeys to Pulp, Yungblud to Kate Rusby, South Yorkshire has given music to the world for years. I couldn’t be prouder to build on our arts heritage by investing in projects such as the restoration of Harmony Works, giving exciting opportunities to young, aspiring musicians in our communities and a chance for them to stay near and go far.
“Not only do cultural institutions drive growth in our city centres, they also lead to happier, healthier lives for local people. That’s why I’ll continue to bang the drum for South Yorkshire and attract further investment into our culture sector, to create a happier, healthier, and wealthier region for all.”
Pete Massey, Yorkshire Director, Arts Council England, said: “Sheffield is a city with a rich history of musical excellence, so it’s great to see Harmony Works secure this vital investment from Government to create a fantastic new hub for music education.
“Yorkshire continues to produce musicians and bands that have received national and international acclaim, and we can’t wait to see the next generation of artists come through the Harmony Works doors to build on that success.”
With a history dating back to 1875, when it was originally constructed as offices for the Sheffield United Gas Light Company, Canada House is a cherished local landmark. In the 1980s, the building gained local popularity as TurnUps nightclub and was a hub for young music lovers.
“It’s amazing to think that in just three years, these walls will once again be filled with the sound of music – this time created by the young people themselves,” Pieters concluded.
The refurbishment of Canada House is expected to start later this year, with a view to opening the doors to Harmony Works late in 2027.
Once complete, it will become home to many organisations, including the Sheffield Music Academy, Sheffield Music Hub, Brass Bands England, Music in the Round, Choir with No Name, Orchestras for All, and Concerteenies, while also working closely with The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University and The Sheffield College.
