Theatre Royal Bath receives lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund
Theatre Royal Bath has been awarded £955,192 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.
Theatre Royal Bath 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.
Since closing its doors to the public in March, the Theatre Royal Bath is estimated to have lost over £1.5million, with the absence of audiences in Bath for the high quality touring productions and the hugely popular Summer Season. The closure of the West End also hit hard as the record-breaking production of Blithe Spirit had to close just one week into its scheduled twelve week run. Arts Council England funding and support from Innovate UK earlier in the year ensured that The Egg could continue with some innovative provision for outreach and educational activities, and this further funding will ensure that plans can continue for the Theatre’s socially-distanced Welcome Back Season which opens this week, and to continue to plan into 2021.
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.”
Theatre Royal Bath Director, Danny Moar, said:
“We are thrilled to receive this news, especially in the week we open our Welcome Back Season after a seven month closure. This funding will help us keep our doors open into the Spring of 2021 and beyond. We are delighted that the importance of our work for the people of Bath and beyond has been recognised in this way”