Play to the Crowd announces it has been awarded a significant sum of money from Arts Council England, safeguarding the future of Theatre Royal Winchester.
The arts and education charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester, Hat Fair and Playmakers has received a generous £398,000 as part of a major funding boost to cultural organisations across the South East region.
The investment will allow the charity to replace the theatre’s outdated boilers, as the current heating system is increasingly unreliable while the and ageing stage light system rig urgently needs upgrading to efficient LED equipment to ensure the theatre’s sustainability as a professional receiving house.
The building work will prevent the risk of sudden closure caused by system failure, protect recent investment in the heritage building, reduce energy use and strengthen the charity’s long-term resilience as a cultural hub for Winchester and the wider region.
Play to the Crowd is one of fourteen cultural venues, local museums and libraries in the region who have received a share of a £12.6 million funding boost, distributed as part of the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund.
Earlier this year, the Culture Secretary committed up to £1.5 billion to the cultural sector over this parliament, with the Arts Everywhere Fund aiming to save more than 1,000 cherished arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England.
The £12.6 million boost for the South East region, administered and delivered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport is made up of three funds: The Creative Foundations Fund (CFF), The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) and The Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF).
The Creative Foundations Fund (CFF), from which Play to the Crowd received this essential funding, has allocated £5.4 million to nine arts and cultural venues to help theatres, performing arts venues, galleries and grassroots music venues address urgent infrastructure needs across the South East.
Deryck Newland, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Play to the Crowd commented: “We are incredibly grateful to Arts Council England for this vital investment. By supporting these essential upgrades, ACE are not only helping to protect a much-loved heritage building, but also ensuring that Play to the Crowd can continue to bring outstanding live performance to audiences across Winchester and beyond for many years to come.”
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said: “I want everyone, everywhere to feel a sense of pride about where they come from. Cultural organisations across the South West are important custodians of local identity and play a key role in the story we tell ourselves as a nation.
“Our Arts Everywhere Fund is delivering on our commitment to support cultural assets across the country, increasing access and preserving them for future generations. This is demonstrated by grants announced today that will benefit twelve culture venues, museums and library services across the South West.
“Arts and culture are the beating hearts of our communities, they have the power to unite us in the face of division and break down barriers to opportunity. We want to harness the power to help us build a brighter future for the people of the South West.”
Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director, Arts Council England, said:” We are proud to support this new wave of investment through the Museum Estate and Development Fund, the Libraries Improvement Fund, and the Creative Foundations Fund.
“These programmes are strengthening the cultural infrastructure that communities rely on every day, from vibrant local libraries and much‑loved museums to the creative organisations that bring imagination and innovation to our towns and cities.
“This funding will help safeguard historic buildings, modernise essential public spaces, and ensure that cultural organisations can continue to thrive, adapt, and inspire.
“By investing in the foundations of our cultural lives, we are helping to secure a more sustainable, more accessible, and more creative future for people across the South East and beyond.”
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