Huge funding boost for City of Culture year

News Reporter COVENTRY’S year as UK City of Culture has landed a major contribution from one of the largest independent grantmakers in the UK.

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has awarded £500,000 to the Coventry City of Culture Trust to support its Caring City and Collaborative City teams’ programmes in 2021.

The funding will go towards ensuring the cultural sector activity makes a significant contribution to economic, environmental, social and health and wellbeing targets for the city and region.

It is also to ensure Coventry is recognised as a pioneering model of culture-led inclusive growth.

It will also support the trust’s work in community-led production and programming to increase cultural participation across the city. Martin Sutherland, chief executive of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: “We are delighted to receive such fantastic support from Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

“Its commitment to opportunity, to the arts and to supporting young people are very much aligned to the principles of the trust.”

He added: “We have promised to create an incredible year of celebration starting in May 2021 and, with that, leaving a lasting legacy for the city and its citizens. Support, such as this, from Paul Hamlyn Foundation will help us to achieve that.”

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation was set-up by Paul Hamlyn in 1987.

Mr Hamlyn died in 2001 and left most of his estate to the foundation, creating one of the largest independent grantmaking bodies in the UK.

Its mission is to help people overcome disadvantage and lack of opportunity so they can realise their potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives.

The foundation has a particular focus on supporting young people and a strong belief in the importance of the arts.

Moira Sinclair, chief executive of the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, said: “Coventry City of Culture will shine a light on the creativity of the city and region to audiences across the UK.

“During challenging times, the programme’s collaborative ethos, with its focus on co-creation and inclusive growth, has a vital role to play in bringing communities together and in supporting the city’s cultural sector and beyond.

“We’re delighted to support Coventry City of Culture and look forward to seeing the impact of this creative programme.”