Theatre Porto and the Ellesmere Port Cultural Learning Exchange have secured more than £550,000 to support children’s creativity and cultural activity across Ellesmere Port, marking a major step forward in the town’s long-term cultural vision.

This includes £342,000 of investment from Arts Council England to support the delivery of Gold & Green, a 10-year community-led vision and plan for how child-centred creativity can bring transformation to the town.

As part of this, £203,000 has been secured through Arts Council England’s Place Partnership programme to deliver Edge of Wonder – the first major phase of activity bringing together schools, artists, families and community partners to co-create new cultural experiences across Ellesmere Port.

The Ellesmere Port Cultural Learning Exchange brings together local and regional partners working across culture, education and community, including Curious Minds, C-Change (the North West Creativity Collaborative), Cheshire West and Chester Council and West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Running until 2028, Edge of Wonder will support creative partnerships in schools and neighbourhoods, family-focused outdoor events and art in parks and town-centre spaces, and new opportunities for local artists and grassroots cultural organisations.

Alongside this, Theatre Porto has been awarded £139,000 through Arts Council England’s Creative Foundations Fund, part of the Government’s Arts Everywhere Fund. This investment will help make outdoor events and performances at Theatre Porto and at the amphitheatre in Whitby Park more accessible and comfortable for audiences. It will also enhance the venue’s inclusion for disabled audiences and families, and support the long-term financial sustainability of Theatre Porto to continue delivering cultural activity to children, young people and families across Ellesmere Port.

Across the North-West, seventeen cultural venues, museums and libraries are sharing £16.9 million of investment through the Arts Everywhere Fund, supporting organisations to improve access, upgrade facilities and protect spaces for future generations.

In addition, Theatre Porto has also secured around £217,000 from The National Lottery Reaching Communities fund for a separate three-year programme focused on children and families who experience disability and neurodivergence. While distinct from the place-partnership programme, elements of this work will connect with the wider Gold & Green strategy, helping ensure that Ellesmere Port’s cultural future is inclusive and accessible to all families.

At a time when the arts and cultural sector is facing rising costs and real-terms reductions in public funding, this combined investment represents a significant and positive commitment to Ellesmere Port’s cultural future.

Caz Brader and Nina Hajiyianni, Leadership Team, Theatre Porto, said:
“This Arts Council funding is incredibly important for Ellesmere Port. We believe that when children’s creativity is valued and visible in a place, it changes how people see themselves and their town. Edge of Wonder will create opportunities for children, families and communities to take part in creative activity together and to shape the cultural life of the town. We’re excited to work alongside our partners to build something that reflects the imagination, pride and potential of Ellesmere Port.”

“This funding from the National Lottery will make a huge difference to the families we work with. Many families who experience disability or neurodivergence face barriers to taking part in cultural and community life. With this support we’ll be able to develop more inclusive programmes and ensure that creative opportunities at Theatre Porto are accessible to more children and families.”

Rachel Foster, Head of Communities, Culture and Libraries, Cheshire West and Chester Council, said:
“Informed by the voices, thoughts and ideas of local residents — especially children and young people — the Gold & Green strategy is a powerful reflection of Ellesmere Port’s identity and ambition.

Creating places where children can learn, play and grow, while building a culture of creativity, belonging and respect, has the potential to be truly transformative. The collaborative leadership of Theatre Porto and partners across the Cultural Learning Exchange has been central to shaping this inclusive and inspiring vision.”

Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said:
“I want everyone, everywhere to feel a sense of pride about where they come from. Cultural organisations across the North West are important custodians of local identity and play a key role in the story we tell ourselves as a nation.

“Our Arts Everywhere Fund is delivering on our commitment to support cultural assets across the country, increasing access and preserving them for future generations. This is demonstrated by grants announced today that will benefit seventeen culture venues, museums, and library services across the North West.

“Arts and culture are the beating hearts of our communities, they have the power to unite us in the face of division and break down barriers to opportunity. We want to harness the power to help us build a brighter future for the people of the North West.”

For more info contact info@theatreporto.org