An arts centre has received funding from the National Lottery to support its 2020 redevelopment project.

Jacksons Lane in Highgate, North London, has been awarded second-stage funding of £2.26m from Arts Council England’s Large Capital Grants scheme.

The funding is a crucial contribution to the centre’s £5.1m redevelopment programme, which will transform Jacksons Lane’s Grade II-listed building and secure its position as the UK’s leading venue for contemporary circus, creative learning and community involvement.

The capital project will reimagine the building’s interior to create studio spaces that are stimulating, well-equipped and, for the first time, entirely physically accessible. The foyer will be dramatically expanded and Jacksons Lane’s auditorium will be sensitively enhanced to reveal striking historical features and improve audience experience.

Enfield Independent:

On completion, Jacksons Lane will offer a vibrant programme of artistic work and creative learning opportunities. It will build on its reputation as the UK’s leading supporter of contemporary circus to become the home of excellence for all non-verbal theatre. It will increase opportunities offered to young people passionate about pursuing a career in the arts. The centre will reflect London’s diversity across artists, audiences and staff, and it will move forward sustainably into the next 45 years and beyond.

Jacksons Lane is a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England, one of only two such organisations in London to be awarded a Large Capital Grant. The project has already garnered support from Haringey Council, who have committed £1m to the project. The centre’s public fundraising campaign, Love Jacksons Lane, launches this month to raise the remaining £1.7m needed to complete the project.

Adrian Berry, Artistic Director of Jacksons Lane, said: “Everyone at Jacksons Lane is absolutely thrilled by this news. We can now look to deliver even more exciting, diverse arts performance and engagement in a building that our audiences and artists can be proud of. This is such an achievement for the entire team.”

Richard Smith-Bingham, Chair of Jacksons Lane’s Board of Trustees, said: “The transformation of Jacksons Lane enabled by the Arts Council’s generosity will enable us to deepen our support for artistic and local communities, to shine more brightly in north London and better welcome emerging and established talent from across the UK and abroad. We hope this strong endorsement of our project will draw in other funds and enable us to reimagine and amplify our role as a creative hub for the decades to come.”

Joyce Wilson, London Area Director, Arts Council England, said: “We are happy to be able to offer support to Jacksons Lane through Arts Council England capital funding. The redevelopment proposals aim to benefit artists and audiences from across London and beyond. We look forward to seeing the changes to the building and the positive impact they make.”

Zina Etheridge, Chief Executive of Haringey Council, said: “Jacksons Lane is a wonderful venue which is immensely popular with the community. I’m delighted that it has secured funding which will widen its reach and allow even more Haringey residents to enjoy and participate in its eclectic range of artistic events and performances.”