Sustainability policies and the social function of theatre: A case study of the Almeida Theatre

While sustainability has focused on ecological, economic, and social transformation; cultural institutions also need to reevaluate and restructure their practices, operational structures and ethical commitments. As an art form that engages directly with society, theatre functions as a social institution capable of enhancing environmental awareness, encouraging social responsibility, and supporting cultural continuity. In this context, the case study for this research-the Almeida Theatre-was selected through purposive sampling due to its institutional practices in the field of sustainability, its social mission, its win of the Best Cultural Venue award at the 2019 Creative Green Awards, and its consistent five-star rating from the environmental arts organization Julie’s Bicycle. This study aims to explore whether sustainability in theater institutions can serve as a social model that transforms cultural behaviors, beyond a solely technical ecological transformation. Study employs the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods and the theatre’s sustainability reports, corporate policy documents, and publicly available activity reports were examined using document analysis. The data were analyzed using thematic categories based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and interpreted within the framework of David Throsby’s theory of cultural values. The findings indicate that the Almeida integrates sustainability into its management and operational practices through a strategy to extend beyond environmental responsibility to encompass dimensions of social benefit, corporate governance, and cultural participation, demonstrating substantial consistency with the SDGs.