Catherine Mallyon, Executive Director and Erica Whyman, Acting Artistic Director said:

“We are delighted that our application to Arts Council England for National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) grant funding of £15,259,706 annually has been successful and we thank Arts Council England for their support. We are aware that alongside positive announcements, today has seen difficult news for some in the sector. It continues to be a challenging time for all arts organisations regardless of size, and we will keep championing the essential importance of public funding for the arts.

“The investment will continue to support our ambitious national programme of work as a theatre and learning charity, with our home in the West Midlands and with long-standing partnerships throughout the country and internationally. Those partnerships are in areas of multiple disadvantage, and we share our resources where they are most needed. We co-create theatre with 12 partner theatres and 250 Associate Schools reaching 500,000 young people each year with a direct impact on children’s literacy, critical thinking and resilience. We will continue to create bold and unforgettable experiences of Shakespeare and theatre, on stage, in classrooms, in communities and online.

“We are very grateful for the support we continue to receive from our audiences, donors and partners. Theatres are the lifeblood of communities, supporting the economy and contributing to the nation’s strong health and well-being. The ongoing recovery from the pandemic and the significant increase in the cost of living means the challenges are real for all.”

Catherine Mallyon, Executive Director and Erica Whyman, Acting Artistic Director