Kala Sangam receives lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund
October 12, 2020Kala Sangam receives lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund
Kala Sangam, Bradford’s Art Centre, has been awarded £123,000 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.
Kala Sangam 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.
As well as securing the jobs of the staff team at Kala Sangam, the money will be used to support freelance artists from the Bradford region to create and develop their work. While lockdown restrictions mean public performances will not return to the city centre venue this year, artists and performers will be paid to create, develop and rehearsal new work in Kala Sangam’s socially distanced spaces. As well as providing valuable financial support for freelance artists, this will also ensure there is an exciting range of shows available for venues across the country to programme when theatres are able to reopen properly.
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.’
Alex Croft, Creative Director of Kala Sangam said, ‘This funding will allow Kala Sangam to navigate what we know is going to be a really difficult Winter so we’re immensely grateful to the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. At the same time, we know that many amazing arts organisations haven’t received much needed support, and we know that things remain extremely challenging for artists across the region and beyond. This funding means we’ll be able to offer ongoing support – including financial – to artists and organisations in the Bradford District, to try and make sure as many creatives are able to survive the current crisis, and are best placed to thrive once this is all over.’
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