Councillors have recommended that grants given to a theatre and art gallery in Chichester be extended for another year.
The Festival Theatre and Pallant House Gallery have received cultural grants of £187,500 and £130,000 respectively since 2018.
During a meeting of the cabinet on Tuesday (September 3), members recommended that the grants be extended to March 31 2026.
John Cross, cabinet member for culture, sport & place, said that in 2023 the theatre sold more than 330,000 tickets, 70% of which were bought by visitors from outside the district.
As for the gallery, more than 57,000 people visited during that year, 85% from outside the district.
Mr Cross added: “These two institutions are bringing a lot of people into the area, so their economic value is quite staggering.”
This was reflected in economic impact assessments carried out for both organisations by the
University of Reading.
The assessments showed a net economic output for the theatre of £26.6m and £7.1m for the gallery.
This means that, for every £1 provided by the council via the grant, £141 was generated for the economy by the theatre and £54 by the gallery.
Social impact assessments were also carried out by the theatre and gallery to demonstrate the community benefit of the venues, their events and activities.
The one-year grant extension was recommended while the council waits to find out what it will receive in the government’s spending review, which is due in Spring 2025.
A statement from the gallery said the financial challenge it faced was ‘greater than ever’ and it was ‘hugely grateful’ for the grant, which is the only public funding it receives.
A statement from the theatre added that the partnership with the council was ‘vital’ to its future.
The final decision on whether to extend the grants will be taken at the next meeting of the full council.
