Finance and funding

  • The National Theatre's income is comprised of box office receipts, fundraising, exploitation of National Theatre productions (such as transferring them to the commercial sector in the West End or abroad) and catering and front of house trading; and public subsidy from Arts Council England.
  • In 2013-14, 65% of the NT's £100m income represented box office receipts at the National Theatre, on tour, in the West End and internationally, and NT Live; fundraising from individuals, companies and trusts represented 7%. Investment by Arts Council England represented 17% (20 years ago it covered 40%). Production expenditure at the National Theatre and on tour represented 39% of total expenditure for the year, with a further 36% of expenditure for UK and international commercial productions.
  • 1,100 people were employed by the National Theatre in 2013-14, including the artistic company. 653 actors and musicians were employed by the NT in London.
  • The NT's repertoire is planned so that across a full year it will cover a wide range of theatre, appealing to a broad audience. Particular regard is given to ticket-pricing, affordability, access and audience development, both through the Travelex £15 Ticket seasons and more generally by making £15 tickets available for all performances; and through ticket concessions, free exhibitions and events. By touring and through National Theatre Live broadcasts to cinemas in the UK and overseas, we increase our geographical reach. The NT also seeks to develop new audiences and deepen engagement through its Learning programme and other activities, both at the National and via the website.
  • For financial summaries and balance sheets please see the recent Annual reports/reviews
  • Public investment enables the National to take creative risks and invest in the productions, skills and audiences of the future. The NT production of War Horse is a good example. About £50,000 was spent on a series of experimental workshops at the National Theatre Studio and its first production at the NT in 2007 cost around £500,000. It has now been seen by over 5.5 million people worldwide and earned the National a surplus of £12million.
  • In 2013-14 the NT's Arts Council grant is £17.4million, down from £19.7million in 2010-11: a reduction of 25% in real terms.
  • To find out more about the value of public investment in Britain's arts and culture, visit artscouncil.org.uk/what-we-do

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