Culture Archives - Invest Colchester

Colchester venues have received a £1.5m government boost for the arts from the government as part of a £127.8m package from the Creative Foundations Fund to address urgent infrastructure needs and the Museum Estate and Development fund to help museums undertake vital infrastructure works and improve the visitor experience.

Firstsite has received the most money out of any Colchester organisation securing £995,000 in capital investment from Arts Council England.

Stagetext, based at the Mercury Theatre, has also been awarded £183,356 to continue its work making culture accessible and Colchester Museums’ Natural History Museum has been given £499,477.

Image credit: Colchester City Council

Colchester’s Mercury Theatre has been recognised by a regional awards scheme recently when it was named winner of the Sustainable Workplace of the Year award, sponsored by Indigo Swan, at the East Anglia Clean and Green Awards 2026.

The theatre has made significant strides by incorporating sustainability practices into its operations, with a strong focus on environmental responsibility and community engagement.

It operates on 100% renewable electricity, supported by a 67.5kW rooftop solar energy system that powers the building and returns surplus energy to the grid.

Image credit: East Anglian Daily Times / Matthew Potter Photography and Videography

Category: Culture

Colchester arts venues awarded £1.5m from Arts Council England

Mercury Theatre wins Sustainable Workplace of the Year Award