Eight cultural and creative organisations in Coventry have been awarded a share of £247,500 through the Coventry Culture & Creative Capital Grants programme.
The funding will support improvements to buildings, creative spaces and equipment, helping organisations grow, become more sustainable and expand opportunities for local communities.
The grant programme is funded by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, through the West Midlands Combined Authority's Culture and Creative Industries Infrastructure Programme, which aims to improve cultural infrastructure and increase access to cultural opportunities, particularly in areas where investment has historically been limited.
Launched in May 2026, the Coventry Culture & Creative Capital Grants programme invited applications from arts, cultural and creative organisations based in the city.
The successful organisations represent a broad range of creative disciplines, including theatre, dance, music and visual arts. Funding has been awarded to EGO Arts, Albany Theatre, Paines Plough, Ascension Dance, Holyhead Studios, Historic Coventry Trust, Motive Man Entertainment and Art Riot Collective.
The grants will fund a variety of capital improvements that will enhance creative facilities and support long-term development across the sector. In two cases, the awards are also expected to help organisations secure a further £1.25 million in external funding for major capital projects.
The programme places a strong focus on supporting inclusive growth, community participation and access to culture. Additional consideration was given to organisations working in areas with lower levels of cultural engagement and with communities that are often underrepresented in cultural activity.
Councillor Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said, ‘We are proud to have a vibrant creative and cultural sector here in Coventry, and these grants will help local organisations to continue their hard work enriching the lives of our residents and boosting civic pride.
‘Culture plays a vital role in shaping how people feel about where they live. The awarded funding will help create welcoming places where people can come together, connect with one another, explore their creativity and celebrate the diverse communities here in Coventry.
‘I'm delighted that this funding will support organisations across a range of artforms and help bring lasting benefits to communities across the city. It has also been great to learn that these grants have unlocked even further funding, as in the case of the Historic Coventry Trust. This shows that us working together with our cultural sector partners in a strategic way can yield positive results for our communities.’
The funding will also help to deliver the council’s Cultural Strategy Delivery Plan by nurturing and creating spaces and places to support cultural and creative activity through good quality cultural infrastructure.
A spokesperson from EGO Arts said, ‘We are delighted to have been awarded capital funding which we will use to purchase much needed equipment.
‘As a charity, EGO has been through several venue moves in recent years, and we stage lots of shows in unconventional spaces including London Rd Cemetery, St Mary’s Guildhall, the Cathedral Ruins and the former JJ’s nightclub.
'This new kit will give us firm foundations to respond to ever changing production needs, meaning we can focus on supporting our community of diverse minds, bodies and ages to make exceptional theatre, wherever we are.'
Jennie Rutte, Manager of Historic Coventry Trust said, 'This funding will enable Historic Coventry Trust to renovate the upper floors of Palmer House and make the space available to local artists who are desperate for new studio space in the city centre.
‘Bringing this building back into use is part of a wider project to regenerate the Palmer Lane area, increase footfall and build a creative community.'
Historic Coventry Trust was also able to use the Council grant to attract further investment to the city, as it enabled them to secure an additional £500,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund’s Heritage Revival Fund.
Ian Harrabin, Chair of Historic Coventry Trust, said ‘The enhanced budget enables us to do more work to make the studios fit for purpose, save the buildings from further decay and bring energy back to this historic part of the city’.
Find out more about Coventry City Council’s Cultural Strategy.