The Government announced a £1.57bn rescue package yesterday (July 5) for Britain’s cultural, arts and heritage institutions.
The emergency grants and loans, made available through the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), will be accessible to organisations across a wide range of sectors.
Performing arts and theatres, historic palaces, heritage and museums, galleries, live music and independent cinema are among the specific industries set to benefit from today’s announcement.
With many of these industries unable to open as soon as others, the funding will help them to stay afloat through weeks of closure.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“From iconic theatre and musicals, mesmerising exhibitions at our world-class galleries to gigs performed in local basement venues, the UK’s cultural industry is the beating heart of this country.
“This money will help safeguard the sector for future generations, ensuring arts groups and venues across the UK can stay afloat and support their staff whilst their doors remain closed and curtains remain down.”
Of the £1.15bn emergency financial aid, £880m are traditional grants and £270m are repayable finance.
Today’s package also includes a £120m investment to restart construction work for cultural and heritage sites and £100m of targeted support for the national cultural institutions in England and the English Heritage Trust.
Oliver Dowden Culture Secretary said
“Our arts and culture are the soul of our nation. They make our country great and are the lynchpin of our world-beating and fast growing creative industries.
“I understand the grave challenges the arts face and we must protect and preserve all we can for future generations. Today we are announcing a huge support package of immediate funding to tackle the funding crisis they face. I said we would not let the arts down, and this massive investment shows our level of commitment.”
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