Comedy fears being frozen out of performing arts rescue package

COMEDY is not considered “equal to other art forms” by Arts Council England, performers claim, saying they fear being excluded from a government bail-out package.

The Arts Council has not traditionally offered support to stand-up in the same way it has backed theatre, music, or dance, and campaigners fear comic performers will be overlooked for the £1.57 billion Covid-19 rescue package announced by Oliver Dowden, the culture minister.

The Live Comedy Association (LCA) was founded to lobby for government funding during the pandemic and its campaign is backed by comedians including Tim Vine and Romesh Ranganathan. When financial support for the sector was announced on July 5, live comedy was not mentioned among the arts earmarked for aid.

Brid Kirby, who chairs LCA, believes the pattern of funding bodies ignoring the art form could continue when the government rescue package is distributed. Ms Kirby said: “Live comedy has a long history of not being viewed as being equal to other art forms by funding bodies across the UK – the same bodies responsible for distributing this £1.57billion package.”

“Not seeing comedy referenced within the announcement of the package is therefore cause for concern.”

An open letter drafted by the LCA calling for comedy to be induced in the bail-out attracted 28,000 signatures, but the Arts Council is understood to be sticking to its original funding plans which have not directly backed standup.

The Department of Digital Culture Media and Sport has indicated a final decision has yet to be made on how the funds will be allocated, but it is aware of the fears for comedy raised by the LCA. A spokesman said: This week we announced the biggest ever one-off investment in UK culture to help the industry through the pandemic.

“This funding will provide targeted support to organisations and venues across a range of sectors and detailed eligibility criteria will be set out in the coming weeks.”