Funding extension boost for theatres
HULL AND EAST RIDING PLAYHOUSES WILL BE SUPPORTED UNTIL THE END OF MARCH 2021
THEATRES in Hull and East Riding have been successful in their application to secure Cultural Recovery Funding as part of the Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund (CRF).
Hull Truck Theatre, Middle Child, Artlink, East Riding Theatre and NAPA will now be supported until the end March 2021.
The money will enable the theatres to make the necessary changes to the buildings to adhere to Covid-19 government safety guidelines.
Hull Truck Theatre say the cash will also enable the creative team to curate and present a new programme of work for audiences in the new year, which in turn will create work opportunities for freelancers who have had little or no work during the pandemic.
It will also allow the theatre to continue its valued work in the community and with young people.
Having recently received the “We’re Good To Go” accreditation from VisitBritain, Hull Truck Theatre will soon be reopening to audiences with a reduced autumn/winter programme with the necessary social distancing measures in place.
Operating at a 27 percent capacity, Hull Truck Theatre reopens on November 12 with Hull Jazz Festival.
Janthi Mills-ward, executive director and Mark Babych artistic director at Hull Truck Theatre, said: “Our building has been closed since March due to government guidelines and we’re delighted that we’ll be welcoming audiences back imminently.
“We’re primarily going to use the grant to support adapting our building and processes accordingly and creating a new programme of work that is possible with audience.
“This work will not only be pivotal in lifting the spirits of our audiences, it will also utilise the creativity of our core staff who have been on furlough and provide much needed work for our network of freelance artists who have been out of work for several months.
“In addition, we’re going to be further looking into digital integration and how to build this into our work going forward.
“It’s a long road ahead for everyone in the arts and culture sector and we’re still going to face many challenges in the months ahead, but we’re feeling hopeful for the future and thankful that this grant will enable us to do what we do best - creating exceptional theatre in a welcoming and safe space”.
Middle Child, a multi-award winning theatre company, founded in Hull in 2011, have been awarded £98,003.
Middle Child artistic director Paul Smith, said: “We are delighted and relieved to have received this support and recognise our continued responsibility to employing the freelancers upon whom our industry so depends, while responsibly reaching audiences with bold and progressive new work.
“We remain aware of the challenges our industry continues to face and wish to express solidarity with organisations who did not receive funding this morning.
“We will do all we can to share resources and support both individuals and organisations in the continued fight for survival.
“We remain a company committed to championing new voices unheard and unknown and will use this investment to continue to work towards a more inclusive and representative industry.” a socially distanced