Mayor welcomes £3m culture boost for East Midlands to revitalise museums, libraries and arts venues

Almost £3 million is to be invested in cultural venues, museums and libraries across the East Midlands to improve access to arts and culture – to the delight of the region’s Mayor.

They are among 130 cultural venues, local museums and libraries nationwide to benefit from a £127.8m boost, helping to ensure everyone can access arts and culture in the places they call home.

The funding has been hailed by the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, as a welcome boost to the “heart of our communities”.

Culture boost

Mayor Claire said: “Culture is at the heart of our communities and this investment will benefit five of the East Midlands’ outstanding cultural and community assets.”

“From historic sites like Newstead Abbey to our local libraries and theatres, this funding will protect important spaces, while making them more welcoming and accessible for future generations.”

“Culture should not be reserved for a privileged few: it is created by everyone and belongs to everyone. Ongoing investment to make that possible is essential to maintaining that access and I cannot wait to see how each place uses the money.”

Newstead Abbey, near Nottingham, has been awarded more than £1.5m from the Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) for essential roof and drainage repairs.

The investment will protect the historic building – former home of poet Lord Byron – and its nationally important collections from persistent leaks, ensuring the site remains open for future generations to enjoy.

Derbyshire County Council has been awarded £440,000 from the Libraries Improvement Fund for work at Alfreton, Ilkeston and Long Eaton libraries.

The money will be used to create more welcoming, flexible spaces for community use, including bookable rooms and areas for local activities. It is hoped that these improvements will encourage more visits from children and families, support community engagement and ensure the libraries remain sustainable and well-used for years to come.

Other venues to benefit from the £2,953,906 investment in the East Midlands include Nottingham Playhouse, which has been awarded more than £285,000 from the Creative Foundations Fund and the National Tramway Museum in Crich, Derbyshire, which has been awarded almost £500,000 from MEND, as well as Creswell Crags in Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire, awarded almost £185,000 from MEND.

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.

“We’re backing the places people care about most, with support for 130 venues across the country.

“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.”

Today’s £127.8 million is made up of three funds:

• The Creative Foundations Fund (CFF) has allocated £96m to 74 arts and cultural venues to help theatres, performing arts venues, galleries and grassroots music venues address urgent infrastructure needs;
• The Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) has allocated a share of £25.5m to support 28 local museums to undertake vital infrastructure works, and improve the visitor experience;
• The Libraries Improvement Fund (LIF) has allocated a share of £6.3m to 28 library services to help upgrade buildings and technology to better meet the needs of the community.

The next rounds of these funds will open for applications in the coming months.

East Midlands venues to benefit:

• Creswell Crags, Nottinghamshire (MEND) – £184,705;
• Derbyshire County Council (LIF) – £440,000;
• National Tramway Museum, Crich, Derbyshire (MEND) – £492,880;
• Newstead Abbey, Nottinghamshire (MEND) – £1,550,747;
• Nottingham Playhouse (CFF) – £285,574.