We are grateful to be able to share the news from the Culture Secretary today that ARC has been awarded a grant as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure we have a sustainable future.
ARC is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.
The grant will allow us to continue our programme of creative activities and events that have been reintroduced since our reopening last month, and to provide support and development opportunities for professional performance artists.
It will also help to secure our future programme of professional, high quality cultural entertainment including music, comedy, drama, dance, spoken word, film and work for families.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:
“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.
“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”
Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:
“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 and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”
Annabel Turpin, ARC’s Chief Executive, said:
“We are so pleased that we have been awarded this grant to help us continue to work with communities across Stockton and the Tees Valley. We are able to get artists and freelancers back to work, offer socially distanced activities, films and performances as well as some online and remote activity for those not able to return to ARC yet. It is another very positive step towards rebuilding our work and impact.”