A number of Nottingham cultural entities including The Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Playhouse, Broadway Cinema, National Justice Museum, Nottingham Contemporary, and City Arts have received “lifeline” grant from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF).
The grant programme is set up to help cultural organisations to weather the challenges faced by these industries during the pandemic. A share of £257 million is to be received by 1,385 arts and cultural organisations across England, according to announcement from Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Arts Council England on Monday (12 October).
Theatre Royal
The Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall has been awarded £851,604.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the institution theatre said:
“The Fund will allow the venue to fully physically prepare for a COVID-19 safe re-opening for audience.
“It will also provide the opportunity for the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall to programme a varied series of socially distanced performances and community related work back into both venues.”
Councillor Dave Trimble, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture & IT said the funding for the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall is “extremely welcome”.
“It is vitally important that theatres and venues are protected so that they can continue to play such a huge role in our city life once COVID is sufficiently under control that people can start to return”, Cllr Trimble added.
Nottingham Playhouse
Nottingham Playhouse received £789,011. Stephanie Sirr, Chief Executive of the venue, said: “We are extremely thankful to have been awarded what we requested from the Culture Recovery Fund which will see us through to March 2021.
“It means we face the future with more confidence.”
The fund will help the venue partially reopen for NPUnlocked festival and Cinderalla for this year’s Panto, says the statement.
Broadway Cinema
Broadway Cinema is also one of recipients who has been awarded £419,015.
This award provides much needed financial support at a point when reserves have been severely depleted by the impact of the pandemic.
Steve Mapp, CEO of Broadway says, “The funding gives us the financial security to continue with our phased re-opening, at a time of continuing insecurity within our sector.
“Over the past two weeks, it has been fantastic to welcome people back to our reduced capacity, socially distanced screens and hear their positive response to the Broadway experience. This continued audience support is vital to our survival.”
National Justice Museum
Both National Justice Museum and Nottingham Contemporary have received £220,000 from CRF.
Victoria Reeves, Chief Executive at National Justice Museum says, “This valuable support has come at exactly the right time, especially as our city faces uncertainty.
“This funding will assist us as we move into the winter months, allowing us to continue with our programmed events, exhibitions and work via our NPO funding.”
Nottingham Contemporary
Sam Thorne, Director at Nottingham Contemporary says: “This is absolutely vital support in the midst of an extremely challenging moment for our sector.”
City Arts
City Arts has been awarded £58,277, which allows the charity to retain its staff and keep its arts centre in Hockley running.
Suzannah Bedford, director at City Arts says, “We are delighted and relieved to have been awarded.
“Through our outdoor arts events we will be able to continue bringing some much-needed hope to our city’s most deprived neighbourhoods.”
The grant programme is administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.
Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair at Arts Council England 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.”
NonSuch Studios
The venue owners were ‘thrilled’ to announce they’ve been awarded £211,838 from the government.
Edward Boott, CEO and artistic director at Nonsuch Studios said, “The impact of COVID-19 has significantly affected our ability to be open our studios, work with our communities and champion creativity across the city.
“Whilst this funding doesn’t solve all of the issues we face, it enables us to begin putting on shows and performance again and get creative across the city again.”
By Na Qing
Feature photo: Olimpia Zagnat / Platform