The UK Government and Arts Council England (ACE) have announced that 1,385 cultural institutions will receive money through Culture Recovery Fund grants. In total, GBP257m (€284m) has been allocated.
Arts institutions in London dominate the list of recipients, receiving 33% of the money – almost three times more than any other region. The next biggest beneficiary is the South East, which receives just over 12% of the funding.
In total 1,963 arts organisations applied for the fund. 578 – including Towersey Festival and Manchester comedy venue the Frog and Bucket – had their applications rejected.
Recipients include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (GBP996,702); London Symphony Orchestra (GBP846,000); Battersea Arts Centre (GBP892,381) The Factory, Manchester (GBP150,000); the Young Vic (GBP961,455); and Nottingham Playhouse (GBP789,011).
“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,” said ACE chair Nicholas Serota. “Further funding will be announced later in the month and we are working hard to support creative organisations and individuals during these challenging times.”
The announcement sparked controversey in the music sector after two agencies – Intermusica Artists Management Ltd and IMG Artists – received backing. “These are not essential services,” noted music critic Norman Lebrecht on his blog. “This money was meant to be spent on keeping the arts and artists alive, not feeding a bunch of marginal, non-creative career managers.”
In total the UK Government has set aside GBP1.57bn for the Culture Recovery Fund. The money will be distributed between now 31 March, 2021.
