A further £100 million supports creativity and culture
Organisations across the country receive lifeline funding in the third round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has announced the news today that hundreds of arts, heritage and cultural organisations across England will receive a share of £107 million from the additional £300 million announced by the Chancellor at March’s budget for the Culture Recovery Fund, bringing the total cash support package made available for culture during the pandemic to close to £2 billion.
Of that £107 million, Arts Council England have administered nearly £100 million, helping creative and cultural organisations safeguard for the future, and allowing them to resume programmes and events, and welcome audiences back safely.
The Arts Council have helped to deliver two funding programmes in the third round of the Culture Recovery Fund. Continuity Support aims to protect previous recipients of the Culture Recovery Fund who need further financial support, Arts Council have invested over £93 million to 819 organisations in this programme.
In addition to this, the Arts Council have awarded emergency grants to 54 organisations nationally through the Emergency Resource Support strand of funding, with more applications undergoing assessment over the coming weeks. Looking to help those facing imminent risks, and open to those who haven’t received funding in previous rounds, grants from this rolling programme are protecting jobs by saving important arts and cultural organisations.
Theatres across the country will receive over £30 million in vital Continuity Support so they can keep their doors open and welcome audiences to pantos and plays this Christmas. Over £500,000 will support Derby Theatre to continue producing theatre for their local community, engaging young people and working with those impacted most by the pandemic. £71,000 is going to the Little Angel Theatre, a children’s puppet theatre in London, which will support their productions, as well as foster their school and community projects.
To make sure that everyone continues to have access to creativity and culture, this funding will support creative, community-driven arts organisations and creative projects, to help nurture and sustain local talent. Over £390,000 will go to Arts at the Mill, Wigan, so they can continue to inspire through their ambitious creative initiatives, whilst a £35,000 grant will support Little Inventors in Newcastle to provide educational workshops to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In further good news, Emergency Resource Support will be reopened to provide even more access to urgent funding throughout the winter period. This will give more applicants at imminent risk of financial failure an opportunity to bid for support, protecting even more organisations so that they can continue to be there for their community and contribute to the economy.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from.
“Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: “This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health. It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives”.
Updated guidance will be published soon for applicants to Emergency Resource Support, keep an eye on our website for more details.
