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A series of major London arts projects face the axe in the public spending squeeze, including a new exhibition area for the British Museum.
An extension to Tate Modern and proposals for a national film centre on the South Bank are also among the schemes under threat.
A warning that money was running out was sounded by culture minister Barbara Follett, who said that the £22.5million promised to the £135 million British Museum scheme in December 2007 could no longer be guaranteed. "It's very much on my mind," she told the Times. "Both the Secretary of State and I are in discussions with them. It's a great idea and we would love to support it, but it's very difficult at the moment."
Ms Follett made clear that more big ticket investments could be kicked into the long grass and those deemed to be good for job creation were more likely to survive.
She said: "There are too many schemes bidding for too little money. There are several excellent schemes that will help with the economy, would be a stimulus and will create more jobs and wonderful visitor attractions. We just have to weigh them up."
The British Museum's Northwest development, which is intended to create more space for special collections, conservation and collections storage, has raised about two-thirds of the money needed, providing the Government does not withdraw its promised share. Building could start in the autumn.
A museum spokesman said it would be a "great disappointment if the funding that has been promised was then not forthcoming". The new building would also host major temporary exhibitions, such as the 2007 visit of the Chinese Terracotta Army.
Tate Modern has received the first instalment of a promised £50million towards a £215million brick and glass extension. More than half of the money pledged, amounting to a third of the cost, has come from Government.
The British Film Institute applied for £45million of government funding last year towards a planned £150million multi-screen film centre. It said it was "incredibly aware" the funding climate had changed although the institute believes it has a strong business case.
If the Government steps back from the projects, the venues would increasingly rely on private donors to fund the expansions. Britain's most senior civil servant today warned that there may be sweeping cuts in some Whitehall budgets to protect key programmes.
Sir Gus O'Donnell said the need for major plans in areas such as elderly care, obesity and climate change could mean deeper cuts in other departments.
Reader views (2)
Frankly if it's anything like that dross display on the plinth in Trafalger Square then good.
- Bob, Cheam
Extension to the Tate Modern to house what exactly as they seem to have difficulty at the moment. I took visitors there to see the building, not what was in it. There happened to be a display of painted iron bedsteads on display covering a huge area and of course recently an adventure playground that injured 23 visitors as it was so amateurish.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, Surrey
