Culture venues get £8m cash boost to secure future

Museums, creative venues and libraries across the West have been handed more than £8m to help protect their futures.

The money is part of the government's £1.5bn Arts Everywhere Fund, in a bid to make arts and culture more accessible to communities across the UK.

Numerous venues in the West will receive the cash, such as Taunton Brewhouse in Somerset and the TwoCan Theatre Company in Eastington, Gloucestershire.

The executive director of Taunton Brewhouse Vickie Robbins said the money will give them "West End quality lighting".

In total, 130 organisations will receive a share of nearly £128m in funding which can be used to help open up access to facilities, complete building projects and upgrade technology on sites.

Taunton Brewhouse, a 352-seat theatre, will receive more than £500,000 for improvements.

Robbins said the money will go towards renovating the building ahead of its 50th anniversary next year, including new LED lighting and door automations to improve accessibility for wheelchair users.

She said: "We're so excited. We apply for grants so to receive this is a testament to the Arts Council's confidence in us as an independent theatre venue. Absolutely thrilled and can't wait to get going."

Across the West about £8.2m will go to:

Bristol:

• Bristol Museums - £3.5m
• Trinity Community Arts - £390,000
• Bristol City Council's libraries - £279,147
• South Gloucestershire Council cultural services - £176,639

Gloucestershire:

• TwoCan Inclusive Theatre Company - £283,169

Somerset:

• Taunton Brewhouse - £527,083

Wiltshire:

• Wiltshire Creative - £3m

Dorset-based Music Venue Properties, which one of its venues across the country is The Croft in Bristol, will receive £999,000.

TwoCan Theatre Company provides workshops and sessions for deaf people, and for people with neurodivergences and learning disabilities.

Nickie Miles-Wildin, its artistic director, said the money will "make a massive difference".

It will go towards modernising its base - an old Victorian schoolhouse from about 1850 - by making the space more accessible and help save money on heating during winter.

"Definitely more smiles on faces. We're still in still in a state of shock like a tiny organisation like TwoCan... which has been going for 12 years now have received this money. It's just brilliant."

Sir Nicholas Serota, Arts Council England chair, said: "Arts organisations, museums and libraries are the beating heart of our communities.

"After significant financial pressures in recent years, this vital investment will help organisations to secure futures where they thrive and not just survive.

"We look forward to seeing these cultural spaces flourish as they continue to provide access to excellent art and culture for everyone, everywhere, for many years to come."

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