The Live Entertainment & Arts Foundation (LEAF) has officially launched today at the Duke of York Theatre in London, aiming to ensure that live performances and creative opportunities thrive across the UK. Dedicated to nurturing the next generation of audiences and industry professionals, the charity’s debut was marked by a special appearance from advocate Sir Ian McKellen.
The launch comes as the UK arts sector faces critical challenges. Local government funding for the arts has dropped by 55% since 2010, while the uptake of arts GCSEs in schools has seen a 42% downturn. LEAF aims to bridge these gaps by providing access to the arts for all ages and backgrounds, with a specific focus on underrepresented and marginalised communities, including disabled individuals and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Key Initiatives
LEAF is introducing three core programmes to support the industry:
The Ian McKellen Producer Grant: Originating from Sir Ian’s 80th birthday tour profits, this grant provides one-off funding to emerging producers. Since 2021, it has supported 20 productions across 79 UK theatres. Starting May 8, 2026, LEAF will accept new submissions with the goal of supporting at least 30 more productions by April 2029.
Next Generation and West End Futures: These campaigns address the decline of arts in formal education to ensure a diverse future talent and audience pipeline.
Sir Ian McKellen expressed his delight at the grant moving under LEAF's umbrella, noting that touring professional theatre was essential to his own discovery of the craft. Chair and Founding Trustee Andrew Rawlinson emphasized that "touring work is the lifeblood of regional theatre" and that LEAF exists to keep that journey alive.
Supported by delivery partner ATG Entertainment and its ATG INSPIRE infrastructure, LEAF will leverage a nationwide network of venues to deliver its programmes across the UK. Additional information on eligibility and applications can be found at weareleaf.org.uk.
