Environmental sustainability projects funded across the whole UK

We are delighted to announce that we’ve awarded nearly £170,000 from our Theatre Improvement Scheme, in partnership with the Wolfson Foundation, to 11 theatres on their journey towards reducing their environmental impact.

This round of the grant scheme, which saw an unprecedented number of applications, funds theatres in all four nations of the UK.

Welsh environmental theatre company and creative arts hub Small World Theatre in Cardigan receives a grant to carry out a package of repairs to crucial features of its building Theatr Byd Bach, which contribute to its sustainability credentials. The project consists of replacing the rainwater harvesting pump, replacing the sedum roof and fixing walls that are showing signs of damp. 

A key destination for arts and culture in Northern Ireland, The Metropolitan Arts Centre (MAC) in Belfast receives funding to switch to air source heat pumps to heat and cool its administration office and boardroom. This replaces inefficient underfloor gas heating and electric heaters, reducing the venue’s reliance on gas and electric, improving comfort and cutting carbon emissions by 1.4 tonnes per year.

Based in Scotland’s first new town, East Kilbride Arts Centre is the principal artistic hub for an area with limited arts provision. Funding will enable the venue to complete its transition to a fully LED rig, which will result in a 75% reduction in energy use. Five theatres in England also receive funding for projects to make energy efficiency upgrades to their lighting: Arcola in London; Criterion Theatre in Coventry; Geoffrey Whitworth Theatre in Dartford, The Lighthouse in Poole and Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.

One of the most influential institutions in British theatre, the Old Vic receives a significant contribution towards the project to upgrade the Building Management System (BMS) in its main building. This is a crucial part of the organisation’s wider plan to reach Net Zero by 2050.

The final grants in this round go to The Old Town Hall in Hemel Hempstead and Lowestoft Players in Suffolk, who will both install insulation to improve their buildings’ heat retention, reducing energy consumption and cutting costs.

Thanks to the Wolfson Foundation for their ongoing support of this vital grant scheme.

Download the full press release.

The next round of the Theatre Improvement Scheme will reopen early in 2026 with a deadline in September 2026