For fifteen decades, this iconic Eldon Street landmark has been at the heart of Barnsley’s cultural life and generations of audiences, performers, families, organisations, and community groups have called this place home. Over the next two years, CIVIC150 will explore and celebrate this rich history and heritage, delving into this building and the people who have shaped its story.

Alongside reviving some of the building’s original features, including the double staircase and the original tiled entrance floor, we’ll be collecting photographs, memories, and stories to create a new public archive that captures and celebrates our shared history.

There’ll be lots of ways to get involved with a jam-packed programme of exhibitions, tours and talks, community workshops, Heritage Open Days, volunteer opportunities, school activities and community art projects. Whether your connection to the Civic goes back decades or began more recently, we’d love to hear your Civic story!

In 2009, we began a new chapter, reopening with a new theatre, a contemporary art gallery, and a fresh mission: to be Barnsley’s creative hub. Today, we honour our heritage while driving forward with ambition, making sure that everyone, no matter their background, can access and enjoy high-quality, fun, and inspiring work.

In the 1960s, the building evolved into the theatre many people remember today, opening its doors to audiences, performers and visiting companies, and becoming a key part of Barnsley’s cultural life. It hosted Folk Club nights, weekly gigs, discos, and the much-loved Civic Panto, with the Hall and Centenary Rooms providing a lively setting for nights out and community events.