Arts funding announced for East of England

103 theatres, galleries, performance groups, arts organisations, museums and local venues in the East of England are going to benefit from government funding.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and Arts Council England have announced the first round of funding from their £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund pot.

£18,431,352 of the initial £257 million made available will be going to groups in our region to help them survive the coronavirus pandemic.

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 - from the Beamish museum in County Durham to the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Bristol Old Vic.

“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.”

Norfolk Museums Service (£456,887), The John Peel Centre for Creative Arts (£84,335) and Colchester Arts Centre (£52,000) are some of the organisations to receive funding.