London's libraries and museums handed £30 million boost

The investment aims to protect and enhance 24 sites across the capital, ensuring that culture remains accessible to communities in their own neighbourhoods.

The funding comes from the government’s Arts Everywhere Fund, a £1.5 billion national scheme supporting cultural infrastructure. It includes the Theatre Royal Stratford East, London Transport Museum, and Barking & Dagenham Libraries.

Three separate funds make up the £30 million package.

Create London, The White House, Dagenham (Image: Google Maps)

Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "I want everyone, everywhere to feel a sense of pride about where they come from. Cultural organisations across London are important custodians of local identity and play a key role in the story we tell ourselves as a nation.

"Our Arts Everywhere Fund is delivering on our commitment to support cultural assets across the country, increasing access and preserving them for future generations.

"This is demonstrated by grants announced today that will benefit twenty-four culture venues, museums, and library services across London.

Harrow Arts Centre, one of the sites to receive the funding (Image: Google Maps)

"Arts and culture are the beating hearts of our communities, they have the power to unite us in the face of division and break down barriers to opportunity. We want to harness the power to help us build a brighter future for the people of London."

The funding will support building improvements, accessibility upgrades, and technological enhancements. It is part of Ms Nandy’s wider pledge to commit up to £1.5 billion to the cultural sector over this parliament, with a goal of saving more than 1,000 cherished arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage buildings across England.

Michelle Walker, London area director at Arts Council England, said: "This significant investment is a vital step in safeguarding the future of cultural venues, museums, and libraries at a time when many are facing real challenges.

"Across London these spaces are the backbone of our city, where communities come together. By supporting these essential improvements this funding will help ensure that these venues remain open, sustainable, and accessible for years to come, protecting the creative spaces that London’s artists and audiences rely on."

Shoreditch Town Hall, another one of the sites (Image: Google Maps)

The Creative Foundations Fund is providing £26.8 million for urgent upgrades at 16 arts and cultural venues, including the Southbank Centre.

Planned works at the Royal Festival Hall will safeguard the building for the future and improve the experience within the building for audiences and artists alike. The Museum Estate and Development Fund is allocating a share of £1.4 million to two museums.

The 1,500 capacity Electric Ballroom in Camden High Street is around the corner from the recording studio where The Pet Shop Boys recorded their first songs in the early 1980s. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

London Transport Museum will use its share to restore its Grade II-listed glass roof and protect its collections. The Libraries Improvement Fund is granting a share of £1.5 million to seven library services.

In Havering, Romford Library will be transformed with an inclusive children’s library, a co-working local enterprise space, and a community space for events and activities.

Other notable projects include:

Rich Mix Arts Centre in Shoreditch has been awarded £2,205,000 for accessibility improvements and ground floor redesigns.

The upgraded space will support higher visitor numbers, improve energy efficiency, and generate new income through expanded café, bar, events, and hire spaces.

The Museum of the Order of St John will receive £413,015 to repair and renew the main and turret roofs of its Grade I-listed building, upgrade drainage, and add breathable insulation.

These works will preserve the building and its historic collections while cutting energy consumption.

Barking and Dagenham Libraries will use £300,000 to establish Digital Physical Activity Hubs in six libraries.

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre (Image: Google Maps)

These will offer sports simulators and dedicated activity zones to promote health, exercise, and digital engagement, especially among young people.

Additional funding rounds are expected in the coming months.

Further details on the Museum Estate and Development Fund, and the new Museum Transformation Programme, along with the Libraries Improvement Fund will be announced in due course.

The full list is:

London

• Southbank Centre - £10,000,000
• Harrow Arts Centre - £630,014
• Certain Blacks - £150,000
• Autograph ABP - £499,950
• The Lyric Theatre Hammersmith Limited - £534,227
• Theatre Royal Stratford East - £1,750,000
• St Margaret's House - £700,000
• Create London, The White House, Dagenham - £500,000
• Shoreditch Town Hall - £899,847
• Kiln Theatre - £296,500
• London Contemporary Dance (The Place) Limited - £660,000
• Electric Ballroom CIC - £497,000
• Rich Mix Cultural Foundation - £2,205,000
• Royal Opera House - £5,000,000
• VocalEyes - £102,254
• English National Opera - £1,601,293

Museum Estate and Development Fund full list of recipients: 

London

• London Transport Museum - £999,999
• Museum of the Order of St John - £413,015

Libraries Improvement Fund full list of recipients: 

London

• London Borough Havering - £499,000 
• London Borough of Barking and Dagenham - £300,000 
• London Borough of Ealing Libraries - £50,000 
• RBG – Sport, Leisure and Library Services, Greenwich Libraries - £121,755 
• Harrow Libraries - £110,000 
• Camden Council - £149,655
• East Ham Co-Working and Study Space - £350,000