Wigmore Hall launches £10m fund in bid to be self-sustaining

The London classical music venue announces plan against a background of arts funding cuts and in an uncertain public environment for classical music'

London classical music venue Wigmore Hall has announced a 10m fund with the aim to be self-sustaining without need for public funds. It is believed to be the first major concert hall to take such a step in what a statement described as an uncertain public environment for classical music in the UK".

The venue has an annual grant of 344,206 from Arts Council England (ACE) but John Gilhooly, Wigmore Hall's artistic and executive director, says that it is already 97% self-funded". He added that 7m had already been pledged for the new fund, called the Director's Fund, and that the venue hoped to raise 10m by 2027, and 20m within a decade.