UK Government Unveils £1.57bn Support Package For Arts And Culture

The past few months have seen various campaigns and petitions launched to urge the UK government to help protect the arts and culture industries amid the coronavirus pandemic – from #SaveOurVenues to last week's #LetTheMusicPlay. Now, a £1.57billion support package has been announced – with music venues, theatres and more able to apply for these emergency grants and loans.

While this lifeline is welcomed by many leading figures in these industries, it is being reported that venues will likely still remain closed until 2021 – though guidance for a “phased return” to get the performing acts started up again will apparently be published soon.

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Discussing this “massive investment”, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said that the government's £1.57billion pledge shows their “level of commitment” to the arts, explaining: “Our arts and culture are the soul of our nation. They make our country great and are the lynchpin of our world-beating and fast-growing creative industries. I understand the grave challenges the arts face and we must protect and preserve all we can for future generations.”

Boris Johnson added: “From iconic theatre and musicals, mesmerising exhibitions at our world-class galleries to gigs performed in local basement venues, the UK’s cultural industry is the beating heart of this country.

“This money will help safeguard the sector for future generations, ensuring arts groups and venues across the UK can stay afloat and support their staff whilst their doors remain closed and curtains remain down.”

However, Labour's shadow culture secretary Jo Stevens said that this support package is “too little, too late”, while chief executive of the Lowry in Salford, Julia Fawcett, agreed: “The announcement of £1.57bn of emergency investment in the UK's culture sector is welcome news, but we are fast running out of time.

“This lifeline will come too late for some organisations who have already been forced to close their doors for good or made valued employees redundant.”

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