Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced details of 2,700 organisations being offered nearly £400 million in grants and loans to help the culture sector reopen and recover, on top of the £1 billion that has already been allocated in the first round.
Over £39 million has been awarded to organisations in the North West in this latest round of funding, building on £98 million already awarded from the Culture Recovery Fund to organisations in the region.
The Lowry in Salford which received £3 million in Round 1 and is due to receive a further £7.3 million in repayable finance in the second round announced today. A theatre and gallery venue, The Lowry has strong links to the local community including work with Children and Young People. Throughout the pandemic, The Lowry have continued online activity with their Love Lowry online platform and this funding will help prepare them for reopening
Oldham Coliseum Theatre has received a grant of £56,600 from the second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. This award will support future productions, both online and on stage, investment in the theatre’s team and opportunities for freelance artists.
The National Football Museum in Manchester, set to receive £239,721, holds the largest public collection of football objects in the world. This funding will be used to support the museum reopening to the public as they get ready to host the Manchester International Festival and celebrate the Euros within their exhibitions.
Dave Moutrey, HOME’s Director and CEO, said: “We’re pleased that our bid for additional Cultural Recovery Fund support, which included a focus on creating employment opportunities for Manchester’s freelancers in particular, has been successful. We have exciting plans for reopening which we are now a step closer to being able to announce.
“The arts will play a crucial role in the recovery of the country from the pandemic, and this funding is a signal that government understands that.”
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced. Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”
Susan Wildman, Chief Executive of Oldham Coliseum Theatre said: “This time last year we could never have envisioned that the Coliseum building would be closed for over a year. We’re very proud of the work we have achieved throughout the pandemic; now that reopening is in sight, this further support from the Culture Recovery Fund is very helpful as we work towards welcoming our audiences back into the theatre.”
