The organisation S1 Artspace has been awarded £1 million worth of funding for their project to revamp the Yorkshire Bank Chambers into a community arts hub in Fitzalan Square.
The initial project was originally announced in August 2024. This building was purchased as a result of the £20m pledged to Sheffield from the former government’s Levelling Up Fund in 2021.
The development plays into the wider regeneration of Sheffield’s Castlegate where phase two is now being started.
The building itself was built in 1871 and served as the Sheffield Stock Exchange from 1911 before becoming a branch of the Yorkshire Bank in 1967, closing in 2014. It has been vacant since 2017 until this project was started last year.
However, as of this year, S1 Artspace were also given a £10,000 Project Viability Grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund to ensure that architectural and historical features were preserved within the building alongside the grant of £50,000 given in 2024 to kickstart this project.
Since 1995, this Sheffield arts organisation have commissioned over 85 new works and presented work by over 650 artists, including six Turner Prize winners whilst providing studio space and opportunities for local artists to present their work.
This new art space intends to foster both diversity and solidarity across the city as a ‘cultural investment’ by introducing opportunities for work to be showcased by local, national and international artists across their two gallery floors, which could include work produced by university students.
It is also reported that this new space will include a community and events space, artist studios and research areas, alongside an independent bar and a shop that sells local products and artwork.
Alongside S1 Artspace’s long-term collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University within this project, there are hopes that all university students can benefit from both the opportunities provided in terms of producing art, and being able to engage in the local artwork and products of our amazing city.
