Source · Select Committees · Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Paragraph: 59
We welcome the Government’s commitment to provide £1.57 billion in funding for our cultural and...
Conclusion
We welcome the Government’s commitment to provide £1.57 billion in funding for our cultural and heritage sectors; however, whether it is enough to safeguard the cultural sector will ultimately depend on how long institutions remain closed or subject to social distancing, and we are concerned that freelancers and small companies will continue to fall through the gaps of Government support. It is also regrettable that it took so long for the package to be announced, as the uncertainty inevitably led to closures and redundancies in the cultural sector that might otherwise have been avoided.
Paragraph Reference:
59
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The funding criteria and application process for the Culture Recovery Fund went live in early August. Money has already begun to be allocated, with £3.36 million in emergency funding for grassroots music venues allocated on 22 August. Additionally, as part of the Fund, the British Film Institute is allocating £30 million in grants on behalf of DCMS to support independent cinemas as they reopen. In the first wave of grant allocations (announced on October 2nd), 42 independent cinemas across England received a share of £654,883 in grant funding to preserve the local cultural offer and rescue organisations that are at risk of insolvency this financial year. Currently DCMS, in partnerships with its Arms Length Bodies, is processing over 4,000 applications for more than £880 million of grant funding, and announcements about allocations will be made in the coming weeks. of sub-sectors within the cultural and creative eco-systems including theatres, performing arts, galleries, museums, heritage sites, music venues and independent cinemas. Priority will be given to organisations with a national and international reputation, and to organisations which are central to the cultural fabric of our towns and regions. We will ensure that funding is distributed fairly, and that smaller organisations and cultural venues at the centre of their communities are protected.