The Landmark Arts Centre is proud to announce the final stage in transformative upgrades to its cherished Grade II* listed building, made possible through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
This government programme, running until March 2025, is a £2.6 billion initiative aimed at fostering pride in place, strengthening community resilience, and improving life chances across the UK. As one of its beneficiaries, the Landmark Arts Centre has used this transformative funding to enhance its community infrastructure, including a retractable seating system, access-friendly flooring, and improved facilities.
The UKSPF recognises that “all places have their challenges, with affluence and deprivation often coexisting.” This is particularly true for this region of South West London, where pockets of extreme educational and economic deprivation—among the worst in the country as highlighted by the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)—are often masked by the area’s broader affluence. As an independent charity without regular funding, the Landmark works tirelessly to address these challenges and remove barriers to access.
This funding aligns with the UKSPF’s mission to “build pride in place” and support community-led growth. As one of the largest multidisciplinary arts venues in South West London, the Landmark is a vital hub for creativity, connection, and opportunity. With this investment, the Landmark will deliver impactful activities that improve skills, reduce social isolation, and foster wellbeing through arts, culture, and education. The newly upgraded facilities ensure we can better support individuals, families, and community groups to connect, thrive, and grow—helping to create a more resilient, healthier, and engaged local community.
Director of the Landmark, Harper Ray FRSA, says:
“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund has enabled us to make vital upgrades to our community infrastructure, unlocking our area’s unique potential and significantly expanding our ability to serve the diverse needs of our community. The Landmark is now more welcoming, versatile, and accessible, ensuring we can foster pride in place and deepen our engagement for years to come.
We extend our sincere thanks to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) for recognising the essential role that cultural infrastructure plays in levelling up communities by strengthening social fabric, promoting local pride, and improving life chances. We are also deeply grateful to Richmond Borough Council for their leadership in ensuring this funding reaches where it is needed most, empowering us to play a key role in place-making, fostering community resilience, and improving wellbeing through arts and education. Support at a local leadership level is instrumental in enabling organisations like ours to deliver meaningful, long-term benefits to the communities we serve.
We warmly invite everyone—partners, supporters, and community members alike—to visit us in the new year and experience the transformative impact of these improvements first-hand. The UKSPF has unlocked an incredible opportunity to foster greater pride in place, wellbeing, and resilience. I look forward to seeing how we seize this opportunity to shape a vibrant future for the Landmark and the communities we serve.”
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About the Landmark Arts Centre
For 30 years, the Landmark Arts Centre has been at the heart of South West London’s cultural landscape, inspiring, connecting, and enriching lives through a mix of performance, fine art, and creative learning. Under the leadership of Director Harper Ray FRSA, the venue has doubled its visitor numbers in recent years. Each member of the team is dedicated to broadening the venue’s appeal, diversifying its audiences, and enhancing the Landmark’s role as a vibrant hub for arts, education, and community engagement.
Situated between the boroughs of Kingston and Richmond and housed in a stunning Grade II* listed building, the Landmark Arts Centre brings people together through a diverse and inclusive programme of events, workshops, and performances. As one of the region’s largest multidisciplinary creative venues, the Landmark is committed to evolving its programme to meet the changing needs of the community, giving it a home in a unique and iconic building. By removing barriers to access, fostering collaboration, celebrating emerging talent, and showcasing high-quality arts, the Landmark Arts Centre remains a cornerstone of creativity and culture—where everyone can participate, learn, and be inspired.
About the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is a £2.6 billion government initiative forming a key pillar of the Levelling Up agenda and running until March 2025. Designed to replace EU structural funds, it focuses on building pride in place, improving life chances, and addressing regional disparities. The fund supports local investment in infrastructure, skills, and community-led initiatives, recognising that even the most affluent areas contain pockets of deprivation. By reducing bureaucracy and enabling local decision-making, the UKSPF empowers councils, authorities, and partners to deliver tangible improvements in places where people work and live. Its goals include boosting productivity, spreading opportunities, fostering wellbeing, and restoring pride in local areas, ensuring a more resilient and equitable future for communities across the UK.