More than £100 million has been awarded to hundreds of cultural organisations across the country including North Devon Theatres in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.
The aim of this grant is to support cultural organisations who have received funding from the Culture Recovery Fund: Grants programme, in the first or second rounds, and can clearly demonstrate the financial need for further funding in order to be able to operate on a viable and sustainable basis by 31 January 2022.
This crucial funding will help to ensure that these venues can continue to provide access to a wide range of high-quality theatrical and cultural experiences, supporting arts in the local community to enable them to survive and thrive post pandemic. North Devon Theatres are just one of 11 recipients to also be awarded an additional sustainability funding set up to ensure the protection of the country’s most important cultural, creative and heritage assets of local, national, or international significance.
To date the Cultural Recovery Fund from the DCMS has enabled North Devon Theatres to develop their partnership with Arts Council England and, with project funding support, has already seen the venue produce an innovative version of A Christmas Carol in December 2020 and last month a new version of the watershed satire The Beggars Opera, written by local playwright John Gay – Made in Barnstaple, for the people of Barnstaple.
David Hutchinson CEO of Selladoor Worldwide said:
“North Devon Theatres has been through a transformative three years since we took them on in 2019, despite the pandemic. The creative potential in this area of Devon is huge, but the challenges are also very real. What this funding award does is commend and support our ambitious restructuring and business planning to transform these buildings into vital place-makers in their communities, and our program of Made in Devon work – including launching major productions that are first seen in North Devon – but touring nationally and internationally, with widening participation programs and talent pathway. This award is a huge vote of confidence in a historically underfunded part of England – and we’re delighted to be looking to the future and developing the cultural capital in North Devon.”
Paul Jepson – Creative Director at Selladoor Worldwide said:
“We are delighted that ACE has given our plan for a new federating governance structure this encouraging support and investment. It will allow us to work efficiently in partnership and to develop an organisation that specialises in delivering exceptional programmes of work in priority places. We look forward to discovering and nurturing exceptional talent in North Devon and elsewhere – and to contributing great culture to great places.”
Selaine Saxby, Member of Parliament for North Devon said:
“I am delighted that Arts Council England are fully backing our theatres in North Devon. As we build back better it is vital that we have an all year round cultural offer that for tourists and residents alike. I am encouraged that our local councils are putting together a Cultural Strategy for the area and look forward to supporting further investment in North Devon.”
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said:
“Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from. Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”
Over £1.2 billion has already been awarded from the unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, supporting around 5000 individual organisations and sites across the country ranging from local museums to West End theatres, grassroots music venues to festivals, and organisations in the cultural and heritage supply-chains.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said:
“This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health. It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives”.
#HereForCulture is a movement that unites the public, government and cultural organisations in support of cinemas, theatres, music venues, museums, galleries and heritage across the UK. Culture creates jobs, supports livelihoods, and brings joy to everyone.
Whether on the global stage or quietly in our own lives, culture inspires, uplifts, comforts and entertains us. In these challenging times we need to continue to support our local venues and be #HereForCulture so they can continue to weather the storm of coronavirus and come back stronger.
