Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities Grant Programme

This grant programme aims to achieve progress with the restoration, reopening or revitalising of theatres on our Theatres at Risk Register through funding towards commissioning expert support.

Part of our Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities project, it is generously supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Pilgrim Trust and Swire Charitable Trust.

What we will fund

We aim to fund initiatives that will help groups supporting Theatres at Risk take a step forward in securing the future of their theatre. We are looking for projects that involve work around strategic and organisational development, skills development and viability. We expect that the proposals will involve paying an expert to provide the group with help and support or undertake work on their behalf.

The type of support that might be funded includes:

• Viability studies and options appraisals
• Building condition surveys and structural reports
• Business planning and fundraising strategies
• Economic impact studies
• Governance reviews
• Heritage statements
• Audience development plans
• Archival research or collecting people’s memories (oral history collection) or ephemera related to the theatre
• Initiatives to build the capacity and / or the skills of your team

We cannot fund:

• Works that have already started or are due to start before a decision about our funding is made
• Capital costs
• Staff costs (for existing or new PAYE staff)
• Costs for training with external bodies
• Revenue costs associated with the day-to-day running of your organisation

Who can apply

This grants programme is open to groups and organisations that are working to support theatres on our Theatres at Risk Register.

To be eligible to apply an organisation or group must:

• Be a charitable or not-for-profit organisation. This can include local authorities or Town and Borough Councils.
• Have the permission of the property owner to do the work, where necessary (if the group does not own or lease the theatre building)

Funds available

There is a total fund of £60,000 available for allocation in year 3 of the grant programme.

We will accept applications from £5,000 up to a maximum of £20,000 (although it is likely the majority of grant awards will be up to around £10,000).

Theatres Trust will agree the level of funding that the scheme will contribute; the grant awarded may be different to that requested.

Match funding is not required, however, should your project cost exceed Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities grant amount proof of partnership funding will be required.

How to apply

The latest round of the scheme closed for applications at the end of January 2025.

Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application by mid-March 2025.

 

Grant recipients

Round 2: In 2024, we awarded £57,850 of grants to seven Theatres at Risk

Round 1: In 2023, we awarded £60,000 of grants to seven Theatres at Risk