Bluecoat among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.
Bluecoat in Liverpool has received a grant of £111,264 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.
More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Bluecoat in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.
The funding will support Bluecoat in reopening to visitors safely, with a family friendly outdoor summer programme, a newly redesigned entrance space and the Liverpool Biennial in the galleries.
Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.
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.”
Mary Cloake, Chief Executive, Bluecoat said:
“Like many sectors, culture has been really affected by the Covid 19 pandemic. Our business model is set up so that our commercial activities support our arts programme, and this has been turned on its head in the last year.
But, with this grant, we will be able to open for the Summer (restrictions permitting) and we have an amazing outdoor programme planned. This funding will support us in our reopening, with our summer programme, and ensure children have the opportunity to have fun and be creative.
We are grateful for the ongoing support of DCMS and ACE who value culture and can see how crucial it will be in rebuilding our communities and our city centre.”
Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:
“Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.
We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”
The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.
Image Brian Roberts
