Pavilion survives Arts Council cuts

Investment over the next three years will remain above half-a-million pounds annually, with £505,500 allocated for 2012/13, £517,727 for 2013/14 and £530,572 for 2014/15.

DLWP director Alan Haydon said: “Given the tough decisions that Arts Council England had to make, we’re pleased that this announcement reflects its confidence in the Pavilion to continue to deliver an ambitious arts programme for the future and to engage audiences.

“Together with the investment from Rother District Council, we can continue with the high-quality programme that our audiences and visitors now expect from us.

“Inevitably after Wednesday’s news, the Pavilion will have to review its levels of activity and service, but quality remains paramount.”

The Pavilion, opened in 1935, is a Grade I listed Modernist icon. It re-opened in October 2005 after a £10 million redevelopment, and welcomes some 500,000 visitors a year.

It is one of 46 theatres, galleries and other arts venues in the south-east to share in £50.5 million of ACE funding over the next three years. In addition, it annually receives £500,000 from Rother District Council and a £43,945 capital grant which increases year-on-year by 2.5 per cent.

A cut in government funding of almost 15 per cent means that ACE funding for 206 existing organisations nationwide will no longer be available. They will have a year in which to find alternative support.

Many new applications to ACE have had to be turned down.