Southbank Centre among 130 organisations to share £127.8 million cultural infrastructure boost
Performing arts venues including Southbank Centre, The Lowry, Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Royal Shakespeare Company are among 130 organisations set to receive a share of £127.8 million through the UK government’s Arts Everywhere Fund.
A total of 130 cultural venues, museums and libraries across England will receive funding aimed at protecting buildings, improving access and upgrading facilities for future generations.
The investment marks the first round of awards from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund, a wider £1.5 billion commitment to cultural infrastructure during this parliament. The £127.8 million package is being administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
For performing arts venues, the largest award in this round goes to Southbank Centre, which will receive £10 million through the Creative Foundations Fund. Other major awards include The Lowry Centre Trust in Salford with £8.5 million, Theatre Royal (Plymouth) Ltd with £8.356 million, the Royal Shakespeare Company with £7.298 million, the Royal Ballet and Opera with £5 million, and Wolverhampton Arts Centre with just under £5 million.
In London, Theatre Royal Stratford East has secured £1.75 million to upgrade its building and essential systems, while Rich Mix will receive £2.205 million, English National Opera £1.601 million, and The Place £660,000. Other funded venues include Harrow Arts Centre, Kiln Theatre, Shoreditch Town Hall, Electric Ballroom and Lyric Theatre Hammersmith.
The government said the funding will help organisations complete urgent building works, improve accessibility and modernise technology, while keeping venues open and welcoming for local communities.
At Southbank Centre, the funding is expected to support major infrastructure improvements as part of a wider push to make cultural spaces more inclusive and sustainable. Elsewhere, Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival will receive £468,701 to modernise concert hall systems, while Britten Pears Arts has been awarded £1.954 million.
The wider package includes three strands: £96 million through the Creative Foundations Fund for 74 arts and cultural venues, £25.5 million through the Museum Estate and Development Fund for 28 museums, and £6.3 million through the Libraries Improvement Fund for 28 library services.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: ‘Across the country, people take real pride in where they come from. Our local arts, museums and libraries are a big part of that, telling our stories, reflecting who we are, and bringing communities together.’
She added: ‘Arts and culture aren’t a luxury for a privileged few. They are for everyone, everywhere.’
Arts Council England Chair Sir Nicholas Serota said the investment would help organisations ‘thrive and not just survive’ after years of financial pressure.
Further rounds of the funds are expected to open for applications in the coming months.