Sheffield Theatres Confirms Arts Council England Funding

Sheffield Theatres has today announced that it will continue to be funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).

The Theatres is currently an NPO. Today's news confirms that the Arts Council will continue to support Sheffield Theatres at a standstill level, contributing £1,279,865 each year for three years commencing in 2015.

Dan Bates, Chief Executive of Sheffield Theatres commented: 'We are very grateful for the Arts Council's continued support. Over the last three years we have gone from strength to strength, producing world-class work on each of our three stages, and welcoming hundreds of thousands of people through our doors. I am incredibly proud of what we deliver for the people of Sheffield. I'm pleased that the Arts Council has recognised the value we bring not just to the city but to the region and the nation by securing our National Portfolio Funding.

In the last twelve months we have won numerous awards for our produced work and we were honoured to be named Regional Theatre of the Year for a second consecutive year this January. These accolades recognise our ambitious approach and without the support of both the Arts Council and Sheffield City Council we couldn't create the same remarkable work.'

Daniel Evans, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres said: 'Today is a significant day for Sheffield Theatres. I am thrilled that the Arts Council has made this commitment to us and that their support will enable us to create the bold, ambitious and enriching work that we, and our audiences, are so passionate about.

This news comes as we are preparing to bring 94 people to our stage in The Sheffield Mysteries, a major new production by our intergenerational company, Sheffield People's Theatre. This project is a classic example of how our public funding enables us to create and co-create great art for everyone. We have plans for some major projects over the next three years and I'm pleased that we will have the support of the Arts Council in realising these.'

Over the last three years Sheffield Theatres has expanded its reach by taking its homegrown work across the country and internationally. Democracy transferred to the Old Vic in 2012; Bull transferred to New York, and The Full Monty went on a national tour and into the West End following 3 weeks in Sheffield in 2013/14; and this year, Translations, a co-production with English Touring Theatre, toured throughout the UK, whilst This Is My Family, Twelfth Night (co-produced with ETT) and Anything Goes (Co-produced with Stage Entertainment) will also go on to tour following their opening in Sheffield.

The Theatres receives public funding from both the Arts Council and Sheffield City Council. This funding currently equates to 17% of its annual turnover - a modest but vital contribution to the Theatres' operations. Sheffield Theatres generates its remaining income through fundraising, commercial hire, bars and catering operations and, most significantly, through ticket sales. Sheffield City Council has supported Sheffield Theatres' Arts Council application by agreeing to maintain standstill funding between 2015/16 and 2017/18.

Isobel Bowler, Cabinet Member for Culture Sport and Leisure at Sheffield City Council said 'Sheffield Theatres gives the city and amazing selection of theatrical events in its three venues. We are delighted that the Arts Council has rewarded its strong performance with this continued national funding. We are very proud of the achievements of our city's theatres and congratulate Dan Bates, Daniel Evans and the team for their continued success.'

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