Harmony Works has landed a £300,000 boost from the JG Graves Charitable Trust – bringing its vision to transform Canada House into a vibrant music hub for Sheffield’s young people one step closer to reality.
The JG Graves Charitable Trust, established by Sheffield philanthropist John George Graves in 1930, supports projects that enrich the lives of local communities, with a particular focus on education, heritage and cultural development.
In a true collaborative effort, this latest pledge adds to a growing list of funders, including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, Garfield Weston Foundation, Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, and several other trusts and foundations.
As a result, Harmony Works has now raised the vast majority of the funding required to deliver the project. However, a final funding gap of just over £1 million still needs to be bridged for the trust to hit its target of £14 million.
Emily Pieters, project director at Harmony Works, said: “We are delighted and deeply grateful to the JG Graves Charitable Trust for their generous support. This local backing makes a huge difference and sends a powerful message that Sheffield believes in this project.
“Thanks to this pledge, we’re closer than ever to creating a permanent home for inspirational music making in the heart of Sheffield. But we’re not quite there yet – we still need to raise just over £1 million to complete the transformation of Canada House. If you believe in music, heritage and young people, now’s the time to get involved.”
Dona Womack, chair of J G Graves Charitable Trust, added: “We are delighted to support Harmony Works with this important project to establish a new city centre home for music education in Sheffield.
“This exciting initiative revitalises one of Sheffield’s great historic buildings and will create a warm, welcoming base for music education that provides inspiring opportunities for young people to find their talent and enrich their lives through music. Trustees were especially impressed by the potential of Harmony Works to connect young people from across the region, fuelling their growth and development for generations for come.”
Canada House, a Grade II* Listed building with a rich history dating back to 1875, was acquired by the Harmony Works Trust last year.
Best remembered by locals as TurnUps nightclub during the 1980s, the building is set to be transformed into a centre of excellence for music education in South Yorkshire. It will welcome partners such as Sheffield Music Academy, Sheffield Music Service, Concerteenies, The Choir with No Name, Brass Bands England, Orchestras for All and others.
Construction is expected to begin next year, with the new hub scheduled to open in late 2027.
