Derby Theatre has been accepted into Arts Council England’s national portfolio receiving£500,000 per year for three years to support key strands of the theatre’s programme.
It is an astonishing turnaround for the theatre whose previous application for national portfolio funding was turned down after it broke away from Derby LIVE, the city council’s entertainments arm which programmed artistic content at the venue when it was first taken over by the University of Derby.
The award of £500,000 per year is considerably more than the £300,000 annual grant given by the Arts Council to Derby LIVE.
Sarah Brigham, appointed Derby Theatre’s artistic director in 2013, said, “I’m delighted by this decision and all credit must go to the staff team and trustees who’ve worked tirelessly to help redefine our vision and offer an innovative prospect which is worth investing in.
“Our unique relationship with the university and now Arts Council England allows us to forge ahead with our plans in developing artistic excellence for our audiences while becoming an artistic hub for emerging artists, students and our community.”
Professor John Coyne, vice-chancellor of the University of Derby and chair of Derby Theatre, added, ”being given NPO status, and being selected through this extremely competitive process for arts funding nationally, demonstrates that ACE recognises our unique partnership with the theatre and how it can greatly benefit audiences, students and future theatre-makers alike.
“Our theatre arts and technical theatre students will be provided with even more opportunities to develop and enhance their learning within a professional theatre environment.”
Peter Knott, Arts Council area director for the Midlands, said, “Derby Theatre has developed a unique way of working that puts learning at the heart of its programming. It produces and showcases high-quality theatre alongside a wide variety of training and learning opportunities for audiences, artists, students and local communities.
“We felt that this unique approach puts the theatre in a strong position to help us achieve our aim of getting great art and culture to everyone.
“Our investment will support the theatre to put on new productions; work with new and emerging artists; and pursue ambitious plans to increase the quality and range of learning opportunities.”