Derby Theatre and Y Not secure vital cash boost after Covid struggle
DERBY Theatre and the Y Not Festival have had their Covid comebacks given a huge boost as they are set to receive part of a money pot aimed at boosting Derbyshire culture.
The theatre has received £504,631 from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund, helping it to support young people and the local community throughout the Christmas period into next spring and summer.
The Y Not Festival is also set to be given £400,000 after this year’s event, scheduled for July, was cancelled following concerns over rising Covid cases and a lack of clear results from pilot schemes of big events.
Sarah Brigham, chief executive officer and artistic director at Derby Theatre, said the money was vital for the theatre’s longterm stability.
She said: “We would like to say thank you for this support which has come to Derby Theatre through the Cultural Recovery Fund. Without this funding we would not be able to continue our work and ensure we are able to be back for audiences, artists and our community this summer.
“This funding will bring work to our stages and will enable us to give work to our artistic and freelance workforce.
“We will also be able to invest in our participation and engagement work meaning our community can once again experience the arts as an empowering and at this time healing tool.
“We have great shows, extensive engagement opportunities and some good nights out planned for you all to enjoy after what has been the hardest of years for everyone.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back as soon as it safe to do so.”
The money will also help the Y Not Festival make its grand return to Pikehall near Matlock, next year, with the next event scheduled from July 29-31.
The theatre and festival are two of 11 initiatives in the county being given a boost, including theatre and music studios, a local council and heritage trusts.
They are among 52 in the East Midlands to benefit from the cash, which is shared by Arts Council England, the British Film Institute, Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The Derbyshire projects getting funding are:
■ Adverse Camber Productions: £30,000
■ Chesterfield Borough Council: £153,000
■ Creswell Heritage Fund: £219,730
■ Fifth Word: £28,800
■ Hubbub Theatre Company: £38,159
■ Little Wolf Entertainment: £92,000
■ Oddsocks Communications: £26,500
■ OPUS Music CIC: £27,070
■ Sound Perspective: £30,294
■ University of Derby Theatre: £504,631
■ Y Not Festival: £400,000
Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England, said: “Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic.
“These grants will help to reopen theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and
companies the opportunity to begin making new work.
“We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”
The latest boost comes after three heritage projects in Derbyshire were given almost £1 million between them in October, in the last round of funding.
Hardwick Hall, near Chesterfield, was given £565,600 so the National Trust could carry out extensive restoration works.
A further £262,662 was given to Haddon Hall near Bakewell to restore elements of the property’s famous wood-panelled long gallery.
The world’s earliest surviving railway station, at South Wingfield, was given £125,078 so the Grade IIlisted building can be restored by the Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT).
Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary, 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.”