Supporting cultural organisations to become more energy efficient and reduce emissions.
In response to the climate crisis and as part of the UN Decade of Action, we need to make significant carbon reductions. We need to reduce our energy use and stop using fossil fuels in our buildings. The Capital Investment Ready programme supports cultural organisations to take significant steps towards this goal through practical action.
About Capital Investment Ready
Part of the Transforming Energy programme, Capital Investment Ready works with a small cohort of 10 organisations. Now in the second year of the programme, we are looking to specifically work with organisations who have made great progress in reducing impact, but are now looking to scale up action towards bigger capital investment. We’ll support you to prepare for any capital funding opportunities that become available and take strategic steps towards decarbonisation for your cultural building, with a vision to move towards total electrification.
Participating organisations benefit from:
- Bespoke coaching and mentoring
- Peer-sharing opportunities
- Quick response surgeries
Key dates:
Friday 29 November – APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED (with the exception of organisations enrolled in Buildings Net Zero Energy Programme, who have until 6 December to apply)
Tuesday 14 January 9:30am – 11am: Launch – welcome session for selected cohort
Monday 27 – Thursday 30 January: first week of organisation 1-1s (a calendar link will be sent to book a slot)
Thursday 13 March 10 – 12:30pm: Cohort exchange session 1
Monday 19 – Friday 23 May: second week of 1-1s (A calendar link will be sent to book a slot)
Thursday 3 July, 10-12:30pm: – cohort exchange session 2
The programme will have sessions every month running until Summer 2026. We hope that participating organisations can attend a minimum of 80% of these sessions.
Who else has taken part?
In August 2023, we announced the first Capital Investment Ready cohort of 12 organisations: Queens Theatre, FACT, London Transport Museum, MAC Birmingham, Watershed, Royal Opera House, Courtyard, Sage Gateshead, Sadlers Wells, Royal Shakespeare Company, Farnham Maltings and Unicorn Theatre. Find out more about why they’re excited to take part.
This programme builds on learnings from the Spotlight programme which we ran for ACE portfolio organisations between 2018-22. As a result of Spotlight, participating organisations reduced their electricity usage by 19% and their gas usage by 32%.
How to Apply
Find full details and criteria for the programme below. You must be an Arts Council England portfolio organisation to join. If you need this document in another format please get in touch.
This programme is now only open to organisations enrolled on the Buildings Net Zero Energy Programme. The deadline to apply is 6 December.
Capital Investment Ready Programme Criteria (PDF)
Apply nowIf you think you’re not quite hitting these targets yet in order to move towards capital, we invite you to join our Building Net Zero Programme to benefit from the free training and support on offer there. It is a broader emissions reduction programme, designed for those who are beginning to work on energy reduction but are keen to do more. It provides free resources, webinars and energy management training. Find out more.
