A County Durham arts venue has secured £7,500 to upgrade its main performance space as part of a nationwide funding programme supporting theatres.
The Witham in Barnard Castle is one of 13 venues across England, Scotland and Wales sharing £88,000 from Theatres Trust's Small Grants Programme, backed by The Linbury Trust.
The funding will be used to upgrade the lighting in the venue's main performance area, enhancing the experience for audiences, supporting visiting artists and reducing energy consumption through more efficient LED technology.
The Witham was one of several theatres recognised in the latest round of grants, which support projects aimed at improving a venue's sustainability, accessibility and long-term future.
A spokesperson for The Witham said: “We're delighted to receive this £7,500 grant, which will help us upgrade the lighting in our main performance space.
“These improvements will enhance the experience for audiences, support visiting artists and reduce our energy consumption through more efficient LED technology.
“As an independent community venue, investment like this plays an important role in helping us continue to provide a vibrant programme of arts, culture and events for people across Teesdale and beyond.”
The Small Grants Programme helps not-for-profit theatres carry out practical projects that strengthen their resilience, sustainability, accessibility and audience reach.
Theatres Trust said the latest round of funding reflected the wide variety of theatres benefiting from investment, from small community venues to larger regional theatres.
Theatres Trust CEO Joshua McTaggart said: “This latest round of the Small Grants Programme reflects the breadth of theatres across the nation benefitting from vital investment in their futures.
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“From grants supporting energy-saving projects at small amateur theatres to accessibility improvements at large-scale regional theatres, the impact of this funding will be felt right across the sector.
“Theatres Trust is pleased to see the innovative ways theatres of all scales and styles are responding to today’s most pressing challenges and we are delighted to be able to support them in working to secure inclusive, sustainable, and viable futures.”
The next round of the Small Grants Programme is open for applications until January 15, 2027.