Wolverhampton Grand Theatre’s expansion plans to create a community arts hub are being backed by the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The WMCA is providing grant funding to help progress the Grand’s long-term vision for a new mid-scale studio theatre, a further small scale performance space, rehearsal rooms, exhibition facilities, visitor accommodation, office and creative business space.

This support is part of a £20 million investment by the WMCA in the region’s vibrant arts, culture and heritage organisations to enhance the positive role they have in our daily lives.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “Cultural institutions, such as Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre, are an anchor in attracting visitors from far and wide. That’s why the expansion plans are great news for the city, the Black Country and the whole region.

“Adrian and his team have done a brilliant job in securing a huge amount of government money to deliver their plans. Combined with the funding from the WMCA they will be able to turn their vision into reality for the benefit of people in Wolverhampton and beyond.”

Adrian Jackson, CEO and artistic director at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, said: “The development proposals outlined by the Grand Theatre, which are supported by grant funding from both the Community Ownership Fund and WMCA, will enhance Wolverhampton’s cultural offering to provide further exciting opportunities for community enrichment and drive the visitor economy forward.

“This important visionary expansion will also preserve a historic community asset within the city centre, which has previously served the community in a variety of forms since the turn of the century.”

Arts, culture and heritage directly supports more than 24,000 jobs in the West Midlands and has an economic footprint of £1.1 billion. They also deliver a number of other benefits linked to health and wellbeing, skills development, volunteering, pride of place, attractiveness of place for inward investment, and community cohesion. Cllr Patrick Harley, WMCA portfolio lead for culture and leader of Dudley Council, said:

“The unprecedented amount money the Combined Authority is putting into arts, culture and heritage across the region is an acknowledgement of the important economic and social contribution of organisations, such as the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.

“We’re investing in jobs, skills, activities, buildings and live events with much more to come for many more employers, community groups and charities in this sector.”