Over 470 heritage organisations receive Culture Recovery Fund lifeline
The funding for over 470 organisations comes from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and is designed to support heritage recover from the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
“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."
Oliver Dowden, Culture Secretary
It builds on more than £146m delivered to the sector in the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund, which included funding for revenue and capital works.
Ros Kerslake, CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Spring is definitely here, bringing not only sunshine but that sense of optimism and hope for the future.
"We are all looking forward to heritage places and other visitor attractions reopening. I am very pleased that we have been able to support DCMS in delivering this vital funding to ensure the UK’s heritage sector can rebuild and thrive, boosting local economies, creating jobs and supporting personal wellbeing.”
Helping culture thrive
The awards announced today are part of a wider swathe of funding across culture, heritage and film, with over 2,700 organisations offered nearly £400m in grants and loans to help them reopen and recover.
This brings the Government's total investment across grants, capital and repayable finance from the Culture Recovery Fund so far to more than £1.2billion. This is supporting over 5,000 individual cultural and heritage organisations and sites.
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.”
What has been awarded?
Bamburgh Castle (awarded £137,400) and Ely Cathedral (awarded £210,700) have both received funding to help teams at these centuries-old buildings prepare for the return of visitors. Charlestown Harbour, a UNESCO World Heritage site and filming location for popular TV dramas and films such as Poldark and Ammonite, has been awarded £109,500 to help the site survive.
At the most recent budget a further £300m was allocated to support the cultural sector. We will be working with DCMS to confirm details of this funding soon.
