The Brighton Dome and Festival has been awarded a grant worth almost £470,000 from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund.
The government said that the aim was to help “to improve accessibility to arts and culture and to provide welcoming and affordable spaces for local communities to visit”.
The grant is part of a £127.8 million funding boost to be administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
The department said: “It will be the first time that projects will benefit from the fund which also aims to revitalise cultural infrastructure and to protect and preserve arts venues for present and future generations.”
The Arts Everywhere Fund is intended to support cultural venues, museums and libraries and, as well as the grant to the Brighton Dome and Festival, a total of £371,000 has been awarded to Worthing Borough Council.
Britten Pears Arts, which is run by Andrew Comben, the former chief executive of the Brighton Dome and Festival, has been granted almost £2 million.
Most of the biggest sums have been awarded to national institutions such as the Southbank Centre, which will receive £10 million, and the Royal Opera House which has been awarded £5 million.
The Royal Shakespeare Company has been awarded £7.3 million, the English National Opera £1.6 million and the Lowry Centre Trust, in Salford, is in line for £8.5 million.
Bristol Museums will receive more than £3.5 million and the Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust is to receive £1 million.
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.
“That’s why our Arts Everywhere Fund matters. We’re backing the places people care about most, with support for 130 venues across the country announced today.
“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.”
Sir Nicholas Serota, Arts Council England chairman, said: “Arts organisations, museums and libraries are the beating heart of our communities.
“After significant financial pressures in recent years, this vital investment will help organisations to secure futures where they thrive and not just survive.
“We look forward to seeing these cultural spaces flourish as they continue to provide access to excellent art and culture for everyone, everywhere, for many years to come.”
