Young Vic Directors Program awarded £450,000 from Arts Council

Arts Council England has given £450,000 to the Young Vic Directors Program, securing the scheme until at least 2021.

As a talent development scheme, the directors’ programme run by the London theatre provides work opportunities for new directors across the UK, as well as the chance to network and research.

The funding from ACE has come through its Ambition for Excellence strategic fund.

It also receives funding from the Genesis and Jerwood Charitable Foundations, and this further £450,000 award will allow the programme to become “financially sustainable for the future”.

Neil Darlison, director of theatre at the Arts Council, commented on the scheme: “Over the last 20 years the programme has made a significant contribution to directorial talent in the theatre industry offering opportunities to emerging directors from across the UK.”

The artistic director of the Young Vic Theatre, David Lan, added: “This support from Arts Council England through the Ambition for Excellence strategic fund will enable us to build and sustain this unique programme for the future. As a result, not just our theatre on the Cut but the whole world of theatre in this country will benefit at a deep level.”

This support from the Arts Council will be from 2018 to 2021.