£3 million grants available to arts organisations from government recovery fund

Photo credit: Stewart Helmley

More information has come to light on how the government plans to distribute the aforementioned £1.57 billion support package for the arts industry. 

Chaired by Damon Buffini, a new independent Culture Recovery Board has been created to assist in the general administration of the Arts Recovery Fund. 

Initially £622 million will be released, with £500 million being allocated to theatres, music and comedy venues and museums. Arts Council England will oversee the distribution of this portion of the fund. The remaining amount will be given out by the British Film Institute, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England. 

The second round of funding will take place later in the financial year and will amount to £258 million.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden speaking yesterday said: "Today we're publishing guidance so organisations know how to access help. We're also calling on organisations to be creative in diversifying their income streams and the public to continue supporting the places they love so this funding can be spread as far and wide as possible."

Organisations who wish to apply for a grant of up to £3 million are to contact their relevant specialist bodies with" an innovative plan for how they will operate and be sustainable for the remainder of this financial year". 

Nicholas Serota from Arts Council England said: "Arts and cultural organisations are an integral part of public life in villages, towns and cities across the country. We warmly welcome and are pleased to be administering this vital investment from Government, which will help ensure as many organisations as possible survive the existential challenge posed by Covid-19 so they can continue to serve their communities safely in the future."