Arts Council England has announced a £96 million funding boost for 130 cultural venues across England, supporting critical infrastructure upgrades. Key theatre organisations such as the Lowry, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Royal Shakespeare Company are among the recipients, aiming to improve access and facilities.

Arts Council England, acting for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, revealed the latest round of grants under the Arts Everywhere Fund, part of a wider £1.5 billion cultural infrastructure package. This £96 million Creative Foundations Fund supports 74 arts organisations, with a significant focus on theatres and performing arts venues.

The Lowry was awarded £8.5 million to enhance its infrastructure, including replacing escalators with lifts to improve accessibility throughout its spaces. Theatre Royal Stratford East will receive £1.75 million aimed at essential building upgrades and system improvements.

Other notable theatre beneficiaries include the Royal Shakespeare Company, Southbank Centre, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Kiln Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and Scarborough Theatre Trust. Regional venues such as Hull Truck Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth, and Watermill Theatre have also been funded.

In the South East, The Hexagon secured over £2 million to upgrade its facilities, while Brighton Dome was allocated £468,701 for system enhancements within its concert hall. These grants focus on infrastructure improvements designed to support the ongoing functionality and accessibility of performance venues.

Beyond theatres, separate funds have been allocated through the Museum Estate and Development Fund and the Libraries Improvement Fund. These extend support to cultural institutions like Black Country Living Museum and Derbyshire Libraries, although the primary share remains dedicated to performance and cultural venues.

This injection of funding reflects continued government investment in England’s cultural infrastructure, reinforcing the importance of accessible and well-maintained arts spaces in the post-pandemic landscape.