Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed a share of the Labour government’s £127.8 million investment in cultural venues, with Theatre Royal Portsmouth set to benefit.
The funding forms part of the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund – a £1.5 billion package to support cultural infrastructure across the country and ensure communities can continue to access arts, heritage and cultural spaces locally.
Theatre Royal Portsmouth will receive £450,000 helping to secure its future and improve access for local people. This comes amidst the city’s push to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2029, for which it has now been longlisted.
This can be read about in further detail here.
Across the country, 130 cultural venues, museums and libraries are receiving support through this latest round of funding, helping to protect valued community spaces and ensure they remain open and accessible for future generations.
Commenting, Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South, said:
“The Theatre Royal Portsmouth on Guildhall Walk has long been a vital part of our city and its culture.
“This and other local arts spaces are the heart of our community, helping to inspire Portsmouth’s bid for UK City of Culture 2029.
“I welcome today’s announcement of £450,000 funding towards this beloved theatre, having long campaigned for investment in the heart of our city. I know this will ensure the theatre is able to continue to serve local people for years to come.
“After years of underinvestment, this Labour government is backing our cultural institutions and recognising the vital role they play in our city’s communities.”
The funding announced today is part of three national schemes:
- The Creative Foundations Fund, supporting theatres, galleries and music venues with essential infrastructure
- The Museum Estate and Development Fund, helping local museums protect heritage buildings and collections
- The Libraries Improvement Fund, upgrading library buildings and technology to better serve communities
Labour’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said:
“Across the country, people take real pride in where they come from. Our local arts, museums and libraries are a big part of that, telling our stories, reflecting who we are, and bringing communities together.
That’s why our Arts Everywhere Fund matters. We’re backing the places people care about most, with support for 130 venues across the country announced today
Arts and culture aren’t a luxury for a privileged few. They are for everyone, everywhere. They bring people together, open doors, and support our shared sense of belonging. That’s the role they can play as we build a stronger future for our country.”
The Arts Everywhere Fund will invest up to £1.5 billion over this Parliament to support more than 1,000 cultural venues, museums, libraries and heritage sites across England.
