Lyra

Lyra is an award-winning performing arts organisation in Greater Craigmillar, one of Scotland’s most deprived and diverse communities. Since 2012, Lyra has been tackling socio-economic disadvantage by empowering local children, teenagers and families to access their cultural rights through a FREE, broad, rich programme of world-class performing arts. Lyra runs Artspace, Scotland’s only performing arts venue exclusively for children and teenagers. Situated in the heart of Craigmillar, Artspace is a 116-seat theatre and studio where young people can ‘Watch, Learn and Create’ across the performing arts including theatre, dance, music and behind the scenes. They provide after-school and weekend sessions for 100+ participants aged 5+, holiday intensives, trips to see Edinburgh Festival shows, professional shows in Lyra’s theatre and we produce an annual festival to celebrate everyone’s achievements. They support children and teenagers at all levels of experience, interest and ability and work with local partner schools and community organisations to target referrals for those who are most disadvantaged and/or would benefit most from participating. Everything they do is free and underpinned by detailed pastoral care including food, transport, Facilitation, Youth Arts Workers and specialist 1:1 support.