£1M ‘LIFELINE’ FUNDING FOR THE ARTS
Jobs protected with Government money
MORE than £1million has been allocated to arts groups in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire as part of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
The £1.57bn scheme – which aims to combat the financial effects of coronavirus in such fields as music, dance and theatre – was announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak yesterday.
Groups known to benefit from the first tranche of funding worth £247m have now been revealed by Arts Council England. Among them are:
The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle (£248,990);
Mitchell Memorial Youth Arts in Hanley (£78,000);
Hartshill-based theatre group B-arts (£80,000);
Hanley music venue The Sugarmill (unspecified sum);
■ Longton-based Valcato Entertainment which produces shows and tribute acts (£65,000);
The Clay Foundation charity which runs the British Ceramics Biennial (£80,000);
■ Cheshire East Council (£180,000);
■ Crewe Lyceum (£231,387).
■ Congleton-based Circus Starr (£317,551).
The total sum for these organisations is £1,026,938.
The venues have welcomed the funding as a ‘lifeline’ in protecting jobs across the arts.
New Vic Theatre managing director Fiona Wallace said: “This funding is vital in ensuring that theatres are able to deliver cultural, economic, health and education benefits that will help the country recover.
“For the New Vic, this funding will make a big difference across our theatre-making and our education and community work, and will help support us to continue to engage with local people through our activities at a time when people need it most.”
Valcato managing director Jay Everall said: “This funding is a lifeline for our business, allowing us to retain and support our 20-strong team of creatives, cast and crew and to bring our shows and productions to new audiences.
“The investment will allow us to heavily subsidise our live performances in order to allow venues coping with limited capacities to safely re-introduce live entertainment.”
A spokesman for B-arts said: “The Culture Recovery Fund will enable us to fully reopen our building to the public, in a Covid-secure way. In addition to resuming our regular local arts offer, we will be prioritising work with young people, tackling the challenges of isolation.”
Arts Council England chairman Sir Nicholas Serota, added: “Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages.
“This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced.”
Separate money has also been handed out by the Cultural Recovery Fund for Heritage, including £38,200 for roof maintenance at Collegiate Church of St Mary in Stafford.