“Our theatre buildings at Sadler's Wells, alongside those of fellow performing arts organisations nationwide, work hard welcoming millions of visitors, artists and communities each year. They are the places and spaces that make the UK's world-class creative and cultural industries possible. After years of rising running costs our buildings are under threat, and so we are delighted that the Secretary of State has responded to calls from across the sector in reaffirming her commitment to support our buildings, facilities and equipment. We look forward to continuing to work together, ensuring we have the long term resources to enable us to continue to welcome audiences and operate the buildings we are all so proud of, ensuring they are environmentally sustainable and accessible to all.”

Antony Gormley, Sculptor said: "I am delighted to hear our government is delivering for the arts through this serious uplift in funding."

Grayson Perry, Artist said: "This is good news and will ensure that many more people across the country can access and enjoy the arts, culture and heritage."

Adjoa Andoh, Actress and Writer, said: “All the citizens of our country should have access to all the culture in our country. This announcement of a five year major investment by the government into our museums, galleries and libraries is most welcome, with its focus on expanding no and low cost access to the public.

“Our income or community background should be no impediment to our enjoyment of all the wonderful culture this country has to offer us.

“A nation with knowledge of and engagement with its arts, its culture and its history will always be a happier, more united nation. Any ways in which government can meaningfully contribute to the nation’s unity in this way is to be greatly welcomed.”

National Pride will be restored with a major £1.5 billion investment package designed to save over 1,000 cultural venues across England from closure. The five-year funding plan aims to "turn the corner" on a decade of underfunding by previous governments, targeting urgent repairs for museums, libraries, galleries, and heritage sites. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy described the package as vital for "restoring national pride" and uniting communities in divided times. By securing the future of these institutions, the government hopes to provide families with affordable, accessible days out amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The funding includes £760 million for museums—split between national heavyweights such as the Natural History Museum and British Museum in London and the Royal Armouries in Leeds and local sites—£425 million for arts venues, and renewed support for heritage buildings and libraries. Ms Nandy said: "This funding will keep the doors open and the lights on at thousands of arts organisations, museums, libraries and heritage buildings that might otherwise have been at real risk of closure. It will unlock opportunities for millions of people who have been shut out for far too long”.

Last year the Culture Secretary announced £270 million worth of investment through the Arts Everywhere Fund, which has already thrown a lifeline to dozens of much-loved local institutions. The new commitment builds on this further, with additional funding pledged to take investment to £1.5 billion between 2025 and 2030.

The cultural sector currently supports 700,000 jobs across the country and this package will support thousands of jobs for years to come.

The £1.5 billion of funding is made up of:

£760 million for museums:

£600 million infrastructure funding which will support national museums and DCMS sponsored cultural organisations. Funding will address critical maintenance and works to estates, and enable these institutions to deliver on their commitments to share their collections and expertise nationally, drawing in visitors from around the world.

£160 million will be invested in our local and regional museums. The Museums Estates Development Fund will help museums tackle maintenance backlogs, and a new £13.6 million Museum Transformation programme will support organisations move towards more sustainable business models.

£425 million Creative Foundations Fund which will support approximately 300 capital projects in arts venues across the country

£230 million for heritage protecting and preserving heritage buildings, including listed places of worship, across the country:

£75 million for at risk heritage which provides grants towards repairs and conservation of historic buildings.

£46 million for the Heritage Revival Fund which helps communities to take control of and look after local heritage and bring buildings back into public use.

In recognition of the important role religious heritage buildings play in the UK's national story, a new £92 million fund called the Places of Worship  Renewal Fund will replace the £23 million Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and bring these important buildings into line with other heritage assets. It will give them access to the same level of financial support from the government as historic houses, monuments and other heritage sites.

£27.5 million for Libraries Improvement Fund which supports public libraries to upgrade their buildings and technology to meet changing needs to better serve their communities.

£80 million capital funding over four years to benefit National Portfolio organisations that receive regular investment from Arts Council England. This is part of a 5% uplift next year for these organisations that will help deliver arts and culture activity in every local authority.

The Arts Everywhere Fund will be integral to utilising investment in arts and culture as a catalyst for local growth in the cultural and creative industries and in supporting local venues to achieve their full potential. Funding will support communities across the country and focus on disadvantaged areas.

Sophie Tea, Artist said: “The arts don’t survive by accident - they thrive when people are given real space and support to create. Being creative isn’t a luxury; it can genuinely change, and even save, lives. It's brilliant that the UK Government are recognising and supporting the role the arts play in people's lives"

Co-Chief Executives of the National Theatre Indhu Rubasingham and Kate Varah said: “Today's announcement is a significant step change in futureproofing the performing arts in all parts of the country as we will now have the opportunity to benefit from sustained capital investment from the government. This fundamental commitment will support the industry to thrive and grow, enabling more people and communities across the UK to experience the power of arts and culture in their lives. The capital investment the National Theatre has received over the years has made a vital contribution to our pressing need to maintain and upgrade our building as we continue to offer world class theatre to audiences everywhere.”

Andrew Leveson, Executive Director, Royal Shakespeare Company said: “The RSC welcomes the embedding of capital investment in the funding model for arts organisations, announced today. 

“Addressing the urgent capital need in arts infrastructure will support growth across the creative industries, helping to create high quality local jobs and enabling the sector to continue to excite and entertain audiences for generations to come.

“The RSC looks forward to collaborating to ensure that capital investment can benefit our local community in Stratford-upon-Avon, our partners both in the West Midlands and across the country, and the wider theatre ecosystem.”

Hannah Essex, Co-CEO of the Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre said:

“This announcement sends a clear signal of the Government’s long-term commitment to the UK’s cultural infrastructure, and reflects the leadership shown by DCMS and HM Treasury in recognising culture as a driver of economic growth and local regeneration. Sustained capital investment supports growth, protects skilled jobs, improves energy efficiency, and ensures theatres and cultural buildings across the country can continue serving their communities and local economies.”

Laura Pye, Chair of National Museum Directors Council, Director of NML said: “Today’s announcement from the Secretary of State is a massive vote of confidence in the importance of culture to our nation. Investment in museum maintenance—both for regional and national institutions—is essential if we are to protect our shared heritage and ensure our collections can be enjoyed for generations to come.

“We are especially encouraged by the commitment to transformation funding to support the sustainability of local and regional museums. This support recognises the vital role we play in our communities, driving education, creativity, and local pride. With this renewed investment, we can strengthen our foundations and continue delivering world‑class cultural experiences for everyone.”

Lord Mendoza, Chairman of Historic England said: “This is a highly significant allocation of culture and heritage funding. It is a clear signal that the government recognises that the nation’s historic places matter deeply to people. We have just unveiled firm evidence that historic places are vital for our mental wellbeing and people feel profound emotional connections with them. Heritage boosts pride, shapes places where businesses thrive and drives prosperity. It has so much to contribute. This funding will act as a lifeline for heritage across the country, from places of worship to ancient pubs and will give the heritage sector a well-needed boost."

Abigail Pogson, CEO of the Barbican said: "Today’s announcement shows how valuable arts and culture is to the UK and how committed the government is to supporting the sector. Beyond a sizeable contribution to the economy, arts and culture enriches people's lives, fosters connection, nurtures talent, and improves wellbeing. The Barbican and the wider City of London Corporation Creative Family is proud to play a part in this and to stand alongside the other brilliant organisations in the UK — growth in one part of the sector, benefits all.”

Jon Gilchrist, Artistic Director & CEO, Birmingham Hippodrome said: “This is a landmark intervention at a critical time for cultural buildings across the country. These funds will lever significant outside investment and help safeguard our civic infrastructure for the next generation. It will help provide a solid platform for arts organisations to do what they do best: deliver world-class creative programmes, and deepen engagement with our communities.”

Britannia Morton and Sir Alistair Spalding, Co-CEOs of Sadler's Wells said: “We are encouraged to hear today's announcement and vital pledge of capital investment in our nation's cultural and heritage infrastructure. We know with Sadler's Wells East, and with our Sadler's Wells Theatre in Islington - which was rebuilt 26 years ago with one of the first National Lottery grants - that this funding is crucial for a healthy and thriving arts sector.

DCMS sponsors 15 museum groups, with over 45 museum sites across England, visited by over 40 million visitors in the last year. Six national museums featured amongst the UK’s top ten most visited sites in 2024 (British Museum, Tate Modern, National Gallery, Natural History Museum, V&A, Science Museum).

The DCMS sponsored museums and cultural bodies who may receive funding from the £600 million Public Bodies infrastructure Fund are:

British Museum

Museum of the Home (formerly Geffrye Museum)

Horniman Museum

Imperial War Museums (IWM)

National Gallery

National Museums Liverpool

National Portrait Gallery

Natural History Museum

Royal Armouries

Royal Museums Greenwich (includes National Maritime Museum)

Science Museum Group (includes Science Museum, Museum of Science & Industry)

Sir John Soane's Museum