Covid-19: Arts venues and Cinemas funded in the South East

Chichester Festival Theatre one of several to benefit from Culture Recovery Fund

Author: Mike DraperPublished 2nd Apr 2021
Last updated 2nd Apr 2021

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced details of 2,700 organisations being offered nearly ÂŁ400 million in grants and loans to help the culture sector reopen and recover, on top of the ÂŁ1 billion that has already been allocated in the first round.

Over ÂŁ52 million has been awarded to organisations in the South East of England in this latest round of funding, building on ÂŁ76 million already awarded from the Culture Recovery Fund to organisations in the region.

CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE

A number of key cultural venues in the South East are set to benefit from this round, such as Chichester Festival Theatre.

Due to receive a grant of ÂŁ892,137, Chichester Festival Theatre was founded in 1962 with Sir Laurence Olivier as the inaugural Artistic Director. This funding will enable the theatre to build up the scale of activities through reprogramming 2020 postponed shows, re-establishing LEAP's community partnerships to reduce barriers and broaden reach and online output.

Hugh Bonneville, supporter of Chichester Festival Theatre, said:

"Underlying the UK's international Film & TV success is the best of British Theatre. So I am particularly delighted that Chichester Festival Theatre, my local theatre, is being supported so generously by the Culture Recovery Fund. The grant will enable it to reopen its doors with confidence, renew the relationship with its audience and take its place once again at the heart of its vibrant community."

BOOST FOR LOCAL CINEMAS

In addition, 19 local cinemas will receive funding totalling ÂŁ1,131,551..

Among those are:

Chichester Cinema at New Park, which receives ÂŁ85,264

The Dome Cinema, in Worthing which receives ÂŁ44,108

Scott Cinemas @ The Atrium in, East Grinstead, which receives ÂŁ46,135

Orion Cinema, Burgess Hill, which receives ÂŁ8,424

Palace Cinema, Alton, which receives ÂŁ9,701

Grants totalling ÂŁ27.6 million has now been awarded to independent cinemas in England, administered by the BFI on behalf of the DCMS.

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