GrantRadar

Theatres Trust

Small Grants Programme supported by The Linbury Trust

Theatres Trust's Small Grants Programme, supported by The Linbury Trust, gives not-for-profit theatres across the UK grants of up to £7,500 for small capital works, key plant and machinery, and equipment that improves digital access. It funds projects that strengthen a theatre's resilience, inclusivity, environmental sustainability or place in its community, such as accessibility improvements, LED lighting, heating or hearing loops. It can pay up to 100% of costs with no match funding needed, and priority goes to projects costing under £250k or where the grant is the sole external funder. Round 12 closes at 12pm on 15 January 2027.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £7,500
Deadline
89 days left
15 January
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Not-for-profit organisations that own or manage a theatre building in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, with title to the building or a signed lease of more than five years
  • The venue must be open and running a year-round public programme of at least 30 live performances a year of theatre, dance, comedy or musicals (cinema screenings, NT Live and music gigs do not count; performances must be publicised with tickets available to any member of the public)
  • The organisation must have a bona fide UK charitable or not-for-profit legal structure (e.g. charity or CIC; local authorities and town or borough councils that own or operate a venue are also eligible) and be able to provide certified or audited accounts for at least two years
  • You need the permission of the property owner and any relevant planning body for the work
  • School-based theatres may be asked to prove they run a public programme
  • Voluntary and professionally run venues are both welcome
  • Previous Theatres Trust grantees cannot apply until 12 months after their final evaluation report was received
  • Individuals are not eligible

What it funds

Small projects that improve theatre buildings to protect live performance use and remove barriers to participation and attendance:

  • Improvements and repairs to building fabric
  • Purchase of key plant and machinery
  • Purchase of capital items that improve physical access and the audience or participant experience
  • Purchase of equipment (not software) to improve digital access and infrastructure
  • A reasonable contingency of up to 10% in the budget

previous awards include level access, building management systems, heating or cooling, draught-proofing, hearing loops and stage text systems, and replacing tungsten with LED lighting. Priority is given to projects with total costs under £250k, or where the grant is the sole external funder or the work is achievable within the grant. The scheme supports discrete projects or identifiable elements of a larger project, not part-funding of a major project.

What it will not fund

  • Venues that are primarily cinemas or music venues
  • Venues which are not permanent structures
  • Works that have already started or are due to start before a funding decision is made
  • Revenue costs, including loss of earnings, staff time (including freelance staff employed by the theatre), training and ongoing costs such as software subscriptions
  • Loss of income related to project installation
  • The cost of building surveys or reports
  • Software
  • Applications from individuals
  • More than one application per organisation in each round

How to apply

  1. Read the Round 12 guidance notes (and optionally watch the Theatres Trust webinar); pre-application advice is no longer given
  2. Complete the online application form, covering your theatre, the project and its impact against the Trust's priorities (resilience, inclusivity, sustainability, placemaking), and project management and costs
  3. Upload the supporting files and submit by 12pm on Friday 15 January 2027; you cannot edit after submitting
  4. Applications are scored (your theatre 5 points, impact 10 points, delivery and cost 5 points), with geographic spread as a balancing criterion
  5. If successful, you receive an offer letter, bank details form and grant agreement; the grant is paid in full once you confirm work is due to start and must be claimed within one year, and an evaluation form is due within six months of completion

the work must not need doing urgently, as decisions come after the deadline.

Have ready

  • Proof of ownership or lease showing the remaining term (required)
  • Audited or certified annual accounts for the last two financial years (required)
  • Project budget covering costs and income, with other income marked confirmed or expected and the VAT position explained (required)
  • Quotes for the goods or services in the budget; one quote per item is enough (required)
  • Photos or plans explaining the works (optional)

if the building owner is not the leaseholder, a letter of permission from the owner should be attached if you already have it.

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