Leicester Cathedral secures Arts Council funding for Deaf-led arts project (BSL)

Leicester Cathedral has secured funding from Arts Council England for an ambitious Deaf-led arts project celebrating British Sign Language (BSL), Deaf identity and the experiences of Deaf and disabled communities. 

Derby Deaf Youth Theatre (DDYT) is one of the key partners involved, bringing together young people, artists and cultural organisations from across the Midlands.

The project is inspired by the story of a historic wedding at Leicester Cathedral, believed to be the first wedding in England held with sign language, 450 years ago. 

This history will provide the starting point for a programme of performances, workshops and new artistic work exploring BSL, Deaf culture and identity.

Leicester Cathedral will work with Curve Theatre, Derby Deaf Youth Theatre and Art Reach, building on relationships developed through previous community activity supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Curve Theatre’s Young Community Company (CYCC) Dance group will bring together 50 young people aged 11–18 to create a new performance exploring communication, identity and Deaf culture. 

Over eight weeks, they will work with Deaf actor Donna Mullings and Stacey McCarthy, a specialist in integrating BSL into performance.

Members of DDYT will collaborate with the young performers, helping create a production where BSL is recognised not only as a means of accessibility, but as a creative and cultural language in its own right.

The finished performance will be presented at Leicester Cathedral in November 2026, alongside workshops and activities with Deaf charity partners. 

Pop-up performances will also take place at Curve Theatre, Leicester Haymarket Shopping Centre and Derby Theatre.

The project will also provide an opportunity for a Deaf artist to create Signs of Story, a new artwork commissioned by Art Reach. Co-created with members of the Deaf community, the work will explore how stories, cultures and identities are passed between generations and the historic exclusion of Deaf people from cultural and heritage spaces.

Signs of Story will be exhibited at Leicester Cathedral from 18 January to 14 February 2027 before touring to locations across the Midlands.

The Very Revd Karen Rooms, Dean of Leicester, said:

“We are thrilled to receive this support from Arts Council England for a project that places deaf voices, stories and creativity at its heart.

Leicester Cathedral is committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome and represented. This project will celebrate British Sign Language as a vibrant language and cultural tradition while creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration between deaf and hearing communities.”

For Derby Deaf Youth Theatre, the project provides an opportunity for Deaf young people to develop their confidence and creative skills while contributing their own experiences and perspectives to a major regional arts project.

Derby Deaf Youth Theatre is a fully accessible theatre group for Deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing young people aged 10–18, as well as their friends and siblings. 

Sessions are led and supported by professional practitioners, with BSL communication and interpretation provided.

You can find out more about Derby Deaf Youth Theatre here.

Photography credit Lee Johnson.