Old Vic wins share of £2.5m to keep community programmes running
BRISTOL Old Vic is among cultural organisations that have been awarded more than £2.5 million to help keep learning and community programmes running during the pandemic.
The money, heading to museums and galleries, theatres, music, dance, art centres and heritage organisations, has been donated by the Clore Duffield Foundation.
As well as the Old Vic, recipients who will receive a portion of the £2,551,371 include Birmingham Royal Ballet, the V&A, and the Royal Academy of Arts.
The Leach Pottery, Manchester Art Gallery, the National Gallery of Scotland, the National Museum Wales and the Roundhouse will also receive a share.
Lockdown activities have included work with homeless groups, Parkinson’s sufferers, creating online lessons on Shakespeare and delivering clay-making packs to vulnerable children.
Philanthropist Dame Vivien Duffield’s foundation previously funded the creation of over 60 Clore Learning Spaces around Britain, but not their running costs.
She said of the spaces: “We realised that none of the learning spaces except one had reopened, and unfortunately to this day, most remain closed.
“This donation is to help the institutions take the necessary precautions, and where possible start
their learning programmes in person.
“It is of course also to help retain and support the learning teams which are in danger of being dispersed.”
In July the Government announced a £1.57 billion rescue package to help the culture industry weather the impact of the pandemic.
It was announced that thousands of organisations across a range of sectors including the performing arts and theatres, heritage, historic palaces, museums, galleries, live music and independent cinema would be be able to apply for emergency grants and loans.
On its website, the Bristol Old Vic says Covid-19 delivered a hammer blow to its business, saying that in March, it lost 75 per cent of its income overnight.
It said following the Government’s rescue package for the arts, it was working closely with Arts Council England in a bid toi get funding. It needs to raise £500,000 in order to reopen our building.
It says: “Bristol is renowned for its creative economy and Bristol Old Vic will continue to play a significant role in it by continuing to produce internationally acclaimed productions, develop up-andcoming talent and transform the lives of others through our community engagement activities.
“Our work is essential to the future of our wonderful city and all who call it home.
“A Bristol without Bristol Old Vic is unthinkable.”