Somerset's historic Bridgwater Carnival and Dorset's Poole Museum are among eight South West organisations to receive a share of around 拢2m for upgrades and improvements.
The cash grants of between 拢100,000 and 拢750,000 are part of Arts Council England鈥檚 Capital Investment Programme, which is aimed at boosting cultural organisations around the country.
Bridgwater Carnival - the 海角视频鈥檚 oldest of its kind - has received 拢650,000 to redevelop its semi-derelict carnival centre with purpose-built workshop facilities. It will also use the money create better access to historical archives.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council was awarded 拢450,000 to improve the physical and digital presence of Poole Museum, including a new temporary gallery and a dedicated space supporting a programme of artist residencies, workshops and community activities.
Other South West organisations to receive cash include the Wesley Community and Arts Centre in the Forest of Dean, which was awarded 拢180,000 to transform a former grade-II listed church into an arts centre.
Devon's Burton Art Gallery and Museum, in Bideford, secured 拢120,000 to boost its environmental credentials and invest in digital, while Cornwall's Wildworks was handed 拢100,000 for high-quality portable and sustainable technical equipment for theatre.
Phil Gibby, South West area director for Arts Council England, said: 鈥淚t's not just bricks and mortar - with better buildings comes improved accessibility, new technology and a reduced environmental footprint. This public funding comes at a crucial time and matters more than ever to staff, volunteers and visitors. We can't wait to see plans take shape.鈥
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, minister for arts, heritage and libraries, said it was 鈥渧ital鈥 the infrastructure of Britain's cultural organisations matched 鈥渢he excellence鈥 of the creative work taking place inside them.
"Our funding is helping both to create new venues and to adapt existing ones to make them more accessible,鈥 he added.
Funded projects in the South West
Bridgwater Carnival, Somerset: South West Regional Carnival Centre, 拢650,000 (2023/24)
BCP Council (Poole Museum), Dorset: temporary gallery and art and design gallery, 拢450,000 (2023/24)
The Plough Arts Centre, Devon: visitor experience, 拢245,000 (2024/25)
Cinderford Town Council, Gloucestershire: The Wesley Community & Arts Centre in the Forest of Dean, 拢180,000 (2024/25)
Burton Art Gallery and Museum, Devon: a sustainable museum, 拢120,000 (2023/24)
Theatre Alibi, Exeter: equipment to transform old church into community venue, 拢115,000 (2024/25)
Swindon Dance, Wiltshire: facilities development, 拢100,000 (2024/25)
Travaux Sauvages t/a Wildworks, Cornwall: portable and sustainable equipment for theatre. Truro and Falmouth, 拢100,000 (2024/25)
