We are #HereForCulture headline graphic on branded Here for Culture background in red, pink, green and orange

1385 arts organisations

£257 million of funding

#HereForCulture through the #CultureRecoveryFund

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:

“The government is here for culture and we have worked around the clock to get this record investment out to the frontline.
"It will allow our wonderful theatres, museums, music venues and cultural organisations to survive this crisis and start putting on performances again - protecting jobs and creating new work for freelancers.
“This is just the start - with hundreds of millions pounds more on the way for cultural organisations of all sizes that still need our help."

"Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages."

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England

Background image of a musician tuning a guitar

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 is a difficult time for us all, but this first round of funding from the Culture Recovery Fund will help sustain hundreds of cultural spaces and organisations that are loved and admired by local communities and international audiences. Further funding will be announced later in the month and we are working hard to support creative organisations and individuals during these challenging times."

"We cannot overestimate the value of arts and culture in our lives"

Dame Darcey Bussell, President of the Royal Academy of Dance

Dame Darcey Bussell gives Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden a tour of the Royal Academy of Dance. Socially distanced, they look to camera while wearing masks in a dance studio

Dame Darcey Bussell gave Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden a tour of the Royal Academy of Dance

Dame Darcey Bussell gave Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden a tour of the Royal Academy of Dance

"We sincerely welcome the support from DCMS and are very grateful to receive this significant grant from the Culture Recovery Fund. It was my pleasure to welcome the Culture Secretary to the RAD today, in this our Centenary year, and introduce him to our students who will go on to join our network of RAD teachers, who empower young people in the UK and worldwide with our leading ballet training.
"We cannot overestimate the value of arts and culture in our lives, and its ability to build community, resilience and bring joy."

"Culture provides a life-enhancing force."

Neil Mendoza, Government Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal

Secretary of State Oliver Dowden alongside Dame Darcey Bussell at a visit to the Royal Academy of Dance. Two dancers pose in front, in a dance studio, with the Minister and others standing socially distanced behind

Secretary of State Oliver Dowden alongside Dame Darcey Bussell at a visit to the Royal Academy of Dance

Secretary of State Oliver Dowden alongside Dame Darcey Bussell at a visit to the Royal Academy of Dance

"We are at a serious moment for the economy and jobs, but especially for the cultural sector. Culture provides a life-enhancing force. It contributes to our national good in so many ways, from well-being to economic growth, in every single part of the country.
"Today’s funding announcement for performing arts and museums is the biggest tranche yet released from the Culture Recovery Fund. Arts Council England have worked hard to judge applications carefully ensuring that the Fund can release grants quickly while protecting taxpayers money. We are here for culture."

"more to come in forthcoming weeks"

Damon Buffini, Chair of the Culture Recovery Board

Child sat smiling in a theatre stalls seat, socially distanced from other theatre-goers

Damon Buffini, Chair of the Culture Recovery Board, said:

Today’s announcement sees over £250m of funding flowing from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to critical arts organisations. Thanks to this significant investment these vital cultural assets will be helped to weather this storm, protecting their amazing offer which benefits so many throughout the country. As Chair of the Culture Recovery Board, I am delighted to see these awards made today, with more to come in forthcoming weeks.

"I cannot overstate the significance of the announcements being made today."

Andrew Lovett, Chief Executive of Black Country Living Museum and Chair Association of Independent Museums

Visitor to a gallery wears a face mask while wearing a face mask

Andrew Lovett, Chief Executive of Black Country Living Museum and Chair Association of Independent Museums

I cannot overstate the significance of the announcements being made today. Arts Council England, with resources allocated by the UK Government in its Culture Recovery Fund, has stepped-up to save regional museums – the story-tellers and keepers of our nation’s heritage – from extinction. This support isn’t spending. It is an investment in something that people of this country value deeply with pride, fascination and affection. I commend the action being taken today.
We all know ­­that huge challenges remain, including those large and familiar civic museums in our major towns and cities, and I feel especially awful for those people working in museums who have already lost their jobs. However, this Government funding is putting the breaks on the decline we have all seen since COVID-19 struck.
There is now greater optimism that our wonderful museums can survive, be able to adapt and be in a position to thrive once more. We need them to do what they do best, bring added meaning to our lives.

"make the complicated miracle of live performance happen again."

Actor, Writer and Director, Simon Callow

Image of a microphone

Actor, Writer and Director, Simon Callow said:

Extraordinary and exhilarating. I’m really struck by how imaginatively the funds have been distributed, acknowledging the interdependence of all these organisations, the fact that we all, the grand and the modest alike, have our roots in the same soil.
These disbursements don’t resolve all the huge challenges we face, but they do get the garden growing again, which will be an inspiration for us all, our audiences and all those of us who toil backstage, onstage and front of house, to make the complicated miracle of live performance happen again. Phew.
The relief is palpable. Bravo to the Department, the Treasury and the government for enabling us - in the nick of time - to get back to doing something our country is very, very good at.
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