Lyra’s theatre is programmed by our teenage Young Curators – they make the choices and control the programming budget for Artspace. They programme professional shows for young audiences and their families living in the Greater Craigmillar community. They want the shows they programme to be “MOVING, EXCITING, FUNNY, INCLUSIVE, INTERACTIVE and REFLECTIVE of our COMMUNITY”. Lyra’s Young Curators enjoy a variety of different genres and styles with shows for different age groups that surprise and challenge them.

The Young Curators accept pitches year-round. In the first instance, pitches will be discussed for practicality with Lyra’s Executive Producer before being passed on to Lyra’s Artistic Director for shortlisting.  Shortlisted pitches will be considered by the Young Curators at their next available meeting. Please contact Executive Producer James Preston (james@lyra.co.uk) with as much information as possible including a video link, technical specification, target age range and indication of costs. 

Lyra makes and tours our own work by professional grown-ups for young audiences in communities of significant multiple deprivation. We also support Scottish artists and companies to produce, test and present work for young audiences at Artspace. Whilst we don’t directly commission work, we may be able to offer a combination of studio and/or theatre space, artistic, dramaturgical and producer advice. We aim to share our available resources and expertise for the benefit of our community and the wider children and young people’s arts sector. In return for Lyra’s support, we ask companies to connect with our audiences, previewing and/or premiering their work with our Young Artists and local community. Where Lyra’s Young Artists have been contributed to the development of a new work, we ask that they are appropriately credited – and, of course, they love being invited to a premiere!

Please be aware that Lyra runs its own busy engagement programme and the Young Artists already have a packed schedule. Artists and companies who would like to test ideas and/or run extra workshops with our participants will need to budget for additional staffing to recruit and organise new workshops and 'test/focus' groups. Lyra is always available to support this process and give guidance and advice.  If you’d like to discuss a potential partnership, please contact Executive Producer James Preston (james@lyra.co.uk) in the first instance.