The Coffin Works, among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.
The Coffin Works in Birmingham has received a grant of £25,935 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.
The Culture Recovery grant will pay for two months’ wages, as well as essential overheads. With reduced visitor figures predicted for the coming months, this grant is a buffer to face the likely reduction in admissions income.
Christine Cushing, Trustee said:
“It offers much-needed time to rebuild and reunite the Coffin Works’ team, made up of loyal and passionate staff and volunteers. We are the guardians of the Coffin Works and just as the DCMS and Arts Council are ‘Here for Culture’, we too will now be here for our building, its collection and our community.”
Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:
“Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.
Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”
Sarah Hayes, Coffin Works Museum Manager said:
“One year ago we were fearful that we wouldn’t be able to re-open and it’s fair to say that without the grants we’ve secured, that would have been the case. On Tuesday 3rd June, we are planning to open our doors once again and grants such as this have made that possible. We feel as though we have a guardian angel watching over us.”
Gum Kenth, Head of Coffin Works’ Committee said:
“The past year has brought so much uncertainty for many organisations. The fund has given us much hope and a platform to build upon when we can re-open. We are overwhlemed and delighted that we can continue to tell the story of the Coffin Works. Our staff and volunteers work very hard, to to have this fund means the world to us.”
Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:
“Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.
We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”
The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.
Notes to Editors
Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. We invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk
Following the Covid-19 crisis, the Arts Council developed a £160 million Emergency Response Package, with nearly 90% coming from the National Lottery, for organisations and individuals needing support. We are also one of the bodies administering the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. Find out more at www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19.
At the Budget, the Chancellor announced the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund would be boosted with a further £300 million investment. Details of this third round of funding will be announced soon.
