As a global theatre company based in the heart of the Midlands, the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is proud to be the largest Arts Council England National (ACE) Portfolio Organisation outside London. We seek to be part of local, national and international conversations that build connections, create opportunities and spark joy.
In delivering his first major speech from Coventry, Chancellor Rt Hon John Healey MP recognised the West Midlands as a thriving hub. As a major cultural anchor institution within this region, the RSC believes that arts and culture have the power to deliver what the Chancellor himself recognised as the only long term solution to the challenges he is grabbling with: growth.
In summary, our representation to the Autumn Budget 2026 calls for:
1. Arts and culture are at the heart of regional renewal, enabling growth in every postcode
a) Invest in capital infrastructure to boost growth. The precarious state of performing arts infrastructure remains one of the greatest threats to the sector’s long-term growth and viability. These buildings are essential anchors for economic activity, civic engagement, tourism and the cultural lifeblood of our local communities.
b) Fiscal interventions to support touring to generate inclusive growth across England. Specifically, expand Theatre Tax Relief (TTR) to include touring.
c) Empower Metro Mayors to convene local partners to address regional skills needs. The RSC is currently working with the West Midlands Combined Authority alongside the Birmingham Hippodrome and other Midlands based performing arts organisations to develop a regional skills map for young people aged 16+ as well as to secure a collective commitment to the Government’s Jobs Guarantee programme. Empower Mayors to do this at scale.
d) Put culture at the heart of strategies to grow nighttime and visitor economies and transport infrastructure to boost growth. Culture, the arts and heritage are the primary reasons leisure visitors come to the UK; they are our global soft power, but strategies for visitor and nighttime economies could utilise culture to drive growth in every postcode. For example, a portion of funds raised from the proposed visitor levy must be ringfenced for culture infrastructure and placemaking to transform visitor economies.
e) Unlock philanthropy to generate funding for the arts and culture sectors. Establish a Cultural Philanthropy Tax Credit; create a universal digital Gift Aid declaration through HMRC so donors can apply relief across all charities; build public legitimacy for philanthropy by introducing a national philanthropy award and ensure the Honours System continues to recognise philanthropic service especially to arts, culture, and creative industries.
2. Invest in arts rich education to boost growth
a) Invest in an arts rich education in England to unlock its potential to deliver growth and opportunity for every postcode. Introduce a grant to direct additional investment towards schools serving disadvantaged communities and ensure every child has a meaningful entitlement in the curriculum.
b) Support international growth of the Shakespeare Curriculum (the RSC’s first of its kind digital learning platform) to drive investment in the UK. Help the RSC drive soft power, revolutionise teaching and unlock potential through the power of Shakespeare across the globe via international growth of the Shakespeare Curriculum.
The RSC also supports the joint performing arts sector's Budget submission.
