The Welsh Government has announced a major £8.94 million investment to strengthen Wales’s museums, archives, libraries and cultural institutions, reinforcing what ministers describe as the nation’s “essential cultural foundations”.
The funding forms part of a wider uplift for the cultural sector, with Government spending on culture increasing by 8.5% this year and investment in venues and sites now triple what it was a decade ago. Today’s announcement also builds on £11 million in capital grants allocated over the past six months as part of the Priorities for Culture programme, alongside targeted initiatives aimed at improving young people’s access to cultural experiences.
Fifteen projects will share £1.9 million to expand local authority capacity through new curator, librarian and archivist expertise. The projects will improve public access, digitise local history collections and use technology and outreach to deepen community engagement.
Almost £2.2 million has been allocated to the Arts Council of Wales’ Strategic Capital Investment Fund, which supports building improvements and equipment upgrades in arts venues. The fund has so far supported 40 projects, including upgrades at Wales Millennium Centre, Sherman Theatre, Aberystwyth Arts Centre and Torch Theatre.
Several nationally significant organisations will receive dedicated funding, including:
- £767,000 for Welsh National Opera (via Arts Council of Wales) to support its financial sustainability and long‑term vision.
- £250,000 for the National Botanic Garden of Wales to improve visitor experience and support restoration of the Great Glass House.
- £2 million for the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Wales’s only conservatoire, to safeguard its performance‑based music and drama training.
- £1.87 million for the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd to support work following asbestos discovery and to provide high‑quality equipment and furnishings — bringing total Welsh Government investment in the redevelopment to £25.37 million since 2022–23.
Welsh Minister for Culture, Jack Sargeant, commented:
“This is another significant investment in Welsh cultural institutions and reaffirms my belief that our museums, archives and libraries are not optional extras but essential cultural foundations. These projects will not only improve access to museums, archives and libraries but will foster collaboration, preserve local history and strengthen engagement, learning and participation across communities.
“This £8.94 million investment will provides vital capacity for a sector that has been clear about the pressures it faces, whilst giving the support required to deliver our shared priorities and ambitions within the Priorities for Culture.”
The announcement follows other recent cultural investments, including £5 million for sporting facilities such as the Urdd’s swimming pool at Llangrannog, and further support for women’s sport. Earlier this month, the Government also announced £2.5 million for the creative sector, following the creative‑focused British‑Irish Council Summit.
Local museums, archives and libraries will also have access to an additional £900,000 in grant funding available until autumn 2026.
Ministers said the new funding package ensures cultural institutions remain resilient, accessible and able to serve communities across Wales. By investing in both national institutions and local services, the Welsh Government aims to preserve heritage, expand cultural participation and bolster a sector that plays an important role in education, identity and community wellbeing.
Image credit: iStock
