Lyra has a transformative impact on the lives of children and teenagers living in the 20% most deprived areas of Scotland through engagement with a broad, rich programme of world-class performing arts.
Based in the extraordinary community of Greater Craigmillar (Edinburgh) since 2012, Lyra runs Artspace, Scotland's first and only performing arts venue exclusively for children and teenagers.
We overcome socio-economic disadvantage by empowering children and teenagers to access their cultural rights, engaging them in the arts as co-curators and collaborators.
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Our vision is that the same children and teenagers we work with today will be the ones to lead Lyra in the future.
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Founded and led by Artistic Director & CEO, Jo Timmins, Lyra strives for world-class artistic ambition and meaningful community engagement, fulfilling children and teenagers’ rights to ‘participate freely in cultural life and the arts’ as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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Our child, teen and art-led model is underpinned by a whole-setting approach to equity, equality, diversity and inclusion, living the values of fair work and playing our part in achieving environmental sustainability. Lyra’s work is crucial to the Scottish cultural landscape: working locally with diverse communities historically left behind.
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Lyra’s ethos champions the voices of children and teenagers as ‘young artists’ in their own right, building a locally based, globally minded arts community through tried and tested approaches.
What we do
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Lyra runs Artspace, Scotland's first and only performing arts venue exclusively for children and teenagers, with a 116-seat theatre, studio and foyer space.
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We create and tour professional performances made by ‘grown-ups’ for children, teenagers and families from areas of multiple deprivation.
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We creatively engage children and teenagers ‘where they are’, in schools, community centres, streets, playgrounds and beyond.
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Everything we do is free and is underpinned by our detailed pastoral care (including food, transport, Youth Arts Workers and specialist 1:1 support), removing barriers to ensure that everyone who wants to can take part.
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Annually, more than 3800 children, teenagers and their families take part in our programme, totalling almost 10,000 participations.
Our approach
Recognising that each individual will engage in different ways, we provide opportunities for children and teenagers to:
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Watch live performances as audience members. Including our in-house theatre programme and trips to the cultural city (Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival)
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Learn creative skills in theatre, music, dance, technical skills and behind-the-scenes, as well as life-long skills such as public speaking, teamwork and problem solving
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Create their own work alongside professional grown-up artists
Outcomes and Impact in 2024​
