Government deploys last round of “record breaking” £1.57bn funding for cultural organisations

Hundreds of cultural organisations have received a share of the final £35m emergency support package from the Culture Recovery Fund, to help overcome the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since August 2020, the Culture Recovery Fund has distributed £1.57bn to around 5,000 organisations and sites across the country, giving a lifeline to theatres, museums, independent cinemas and many more cherished organisations around the country through the pandemic.

The final round of funding has been deployed with the intention of supporting organisations through the latest challenges, in particular those affected by the Omicron variant this winter. It has kept organisations up and running so that they can continue to support jobs and contribute to local economies.

The “record-breaking” fund has helped the country’s arts, heritage and culture through the pandemic, backing world-renowned names such as Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom, Glastonbury Festival and the National Theatre.

Arts Minister Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay said: “Being cut off from them during lockdown has underlined what a vital role cultural organisations play in their community up and down the country.

“The Government stood by them in the pandemic, and is determined that they should remain open and accessible to everyone - now and for generations to come. I am very proud of the Culture Recovery Fund and the lifeline it has provided for cherished organisations in every part of the country.”