Government officials have revealed that over 100 cultural sites, including museums and libraries, will divide an additional £130 million in funding. This marks the biggest financial boost to the arts sector in ten years. The allocation is part of the £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund, intended to bolster cultural facilities throughout the current parliamentary term. Announced earlier this year by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, the program seeks to preserve more than 1,000 arts locations, museums, libraries, and historic structures in England.
On Tuesday, details emerged about recipients such as the Lowry Centre in Salford, the Hexagon in Reading, and the Royal Shakespeare Company in Warwickshire. These organizations will use the funds to enhance access, finish essential construction, and modernize equipment.
The distribution is managed by Arts Council England for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It consists of three components: the Creative Foundations Fund (£96 million for 74 arts and cultural sites), the Museum Estate and Development Fund (£28 million for 28 museums), and the Libraries Improvement Fund (£6.3 million for 28 library services).
For instance, the Lowry Centre Trust gets £8.5 million to update key systems, such as installing new elevators for barrier-free entry to galleries and expanding usable areas. Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival in East Sussex is allocated £468,701 for upgrades like refreshing the concert hall’s technical setup. Theatre Royal Stratford East in London secures £1.75 million to improve its structure and core operations, maintaining safety and inclusivity.
The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley receives £454,159 to protect heritage structures, while Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire, once Lord Byron’s residence, obtains £1.55 million for vital roof and drainage work.
Among supported libraries, Derbyshire Libraries will apply £440,000 to renovate three locations, creating inviting, adaptable areas with reservable rooms and community zones. Henleaze Library in Bristol gets £279,147 for additions like a new entrance extension for gatherings and events, plus tech enhancements for after-hours public use.
Nandy stated: ‘People nationwide value their origins deeply. Local arts, museums, and libraries contribute significantly by sharing narratives, mirroring identities, and uniting groups. Arts and culture belong to all, not just an elite group. They foster connections, opportunities, and a collective identity, aiding in forging a robust national future.’
Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England, added: ‘These institutions form the core of communities. Following recent economic strains, this crucial support will enable them to prosper rather than merely endure. We anticipate these venues thriving as they offer outstanding arts and culture to everyone for years ahead.’
The initiative focuses mainly on repairing the nation’s aging cultural framework. Nandy has called it the most significant overhaul in arts for a generation. It follows a prior £270 million announcement and comes after a 30% reduction in Arts Council England funding in 2010.
