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Politics
Apr 14, 2026

England's Cultural Venues to Receive £130m Boost Under Arts Everywhere Scheme

AI Summary
The UK government has announced a £130m funding package for over 100 cultural venues, museums, and libraries across England as part of the Arts Everywhere Fund. This investment aims to support cultural infrastructure projects and save over 1,000 arts venues, museums, libraries, and heritage buildings.

The UK government has unveiled a significant investment in England's cultural sector, with over 100 venues set to share a £130m funding package under the Arts Everywhere scheme. This initiative is part of a broader £1.5bn package aimed at supporting cultural infrastructure projects throughout the current parliament.

The funding will be administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. It comprises three main funds: the Creative Foundations Fund (£96m for 74 arts and cultural venues), the Museum Estate and Development Fund (£28m for 28 museums), and the Libraries Improvement Fund (£6.3m for 28 library services).

Beneficiaries of the funding include the Lowry Centre in Salford, which will receive £8.5m to upgrade critical infrastructure such as replacing escalators with new lifts and providing step-free access to galleries. The Royal Shakespeare Company in Warwickshire and the Hexagon in Reading are also among the recipients.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy emphasized the importance of local arts, museums, and libraries in bringing communities together and reflecting the country's identity. She stated, 'Arts and culture aren’t a luxury for a privileged few. They are for everyone, everywhere.'

The funding package represents a significant injection into a sector that has faced challenges in recent years. Arts Council England chair Nicholas Serota noted that the investment will help organizations secure their futures and continue to provide access to excellent art and culture.

This investment follows a previously announced £270m and is part of a broader effort to repair the UK's cultural infrastructure. It marks one of the biggest resets in the arts for a generation, particularly after ACE funding was cut by 30% in 2010.