Theatres Trust - Resilient Theatres: Resilient Communities Grant Programme

Overview

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

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

The type of support that might be funded includes:

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

• 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

Theatres Trust will work closely with the successful applicants to develop the project proposal, assist the group to select experts, attend key meetings and monitor the outcomes.

Funds available

There is a total fund of £60,000 available for allocation in year 2 of the grant programme.

They 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.

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)