Attenborough Arts Centre has been awarded funds as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today.
Attenborough Arts Centre is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.
This recovery fund has been awarded due to the outstanding work that the Attenborough Arts Centre and to ensure that it can continue. After weeks of planning and ensuring that the building can reopen socially distanced with all the precautions required, the team have also been developing a full digital programme of arts courses, performances and commissions. This new digital platform, studio Attenborough, will mean that people can access the arts from the safety and comfort of their home, removing both physical and perceived barriers to the arts.
Michaela Butter, Attenborough Arts Centre director said, “The news of this award is very welcome, securing the creative culture we’re curating, supporting both artists and local communities, whilst meeting the latest Social Distancing guidelines.
During Lock Down we have been piloting a small programme of arts courses, performances and commissions on-line. As part of this award we will be able to expand this work into a new digital platform, Studio Attenborough, which will mean people can access the arts from the safety and comfort of their home, removing both physical and perceived barriers to the arts for some of our most vulnerable audiences.
COVID has and is continuing to have an impact on every aspect of what we do and we are indebted to Arts Council England and DCMS for this recovery grant that not only helps us but will help secure the future of the arts in Leicester.”
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said, “This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.
“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”
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 life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”