Sheffield City Council has given over £100,00 towards the transformation of the Historic Grade II listed building into a state of the art regional music education hub.
In an Economic Development and Skills Committee meeting on Wednesday 21st February Sheffield City Council approved the grant of £118,250 for funding the development and completion of the Harmony Works project.
Harmony Works Trust is a charity which aspires to reawaken Canada House as a place to accommodate a ‘vibrant hub’ of inspirational music education and opportunity for young people and their community.
Emily Pieters, Harmony Works Project Director, said: “We know all about the power of music to change lives”
“This will be a home for every child, they will feel welcome, they will be part of that journey with us.”
Harmony works has an aim to act as a pathway to music, inspire generations and give life to forgotten heritage, furthermore fulfilling many of the city goals and enriching the culture of Sheffield.
The ‘new culture strategy for Sheffield’ involves Sheffield City Council taking a leadership role and finding ways to direct funding to cultural groups and activities.
Coun Mazher Iqbal, Co-Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “As a city known for producing many musical talents, access to music facilities is so important to us.”
The regeneration of Canada House gives it a new purpose whilst minimising the environmental impact of the project, and contributing to Sheffield ambition of becoming a Net Zero carbon city by 2030.
Ms Pieters, said: “Reusing heritage is not only a wonderful thing to do because of the gorgeous spaces we have, but it’s also an environmentally responsible thing to do.”
Canada House, built in 1875, lies in the heart of the city and has facilitated many roles throughout the years, however closed in 2011 after its last home to the ‘No. 1 Oriental Buffet Restaurant’.
Harmony Works’ goal is to breathe new life into the historic building which otherwise would have fallen into disrepair as well as contributing to Sheffield City Councils objective to transform the Castlegate area.
