Arts Council winners and losers

The £30 million Brighton Dome and Museum project received a major boost last week with the award of a £15 million grant from the Arts Council. But, Bristol's £93 million performing arts centre and the £30 million project to refurbish London's Hackney Empire were refused grants.

The refusal to award any funding from the National Lottery means both schemes are now in jeopardy. Bristol was seeking around £58 million and Hackney Empire about £28 million. The new slimmed down Arts Council has warned that large awards will now only be made in exceptional circumstances. London's South Bank complex and the Royal Shakespeare Company's applications were deferred.

The Brighton Dome project is to receive £15 million. Work includes the refurbishment of the Dome, which is used as a concert hall, and the Grade I listed Corn Exchange. Existing galleries in the Grade II listed museum will be upgraded and a new education centre and local studies centre provided.