£500,000 grant given to Belgrade Theatre
It'll go towards their Coventry City of Culture Programme.
The Belgrade Theatre has received a £510,000 grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation’s Weston Culture Fund.
It will secure the Belgrade’s existing programme of work, including talent development and educational schemes, together with its engagement activities planned for Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture.
Without the money, this work was at risk because of the ongoing Covid crisis undercutting the Theatre’s normal earning ability.
The Garfield Weston Foundation’s Director, Philippa Charles, says:
“Our cultural sector is at the heart of our local communities providing not only entertainment but education and inspiration for many.
Our Trustees were impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit shown across the arts in response to Covid-19 and it was a privilege to hear what organisations had been doing to not only survive but also to reinvent the way they reach audiences.
What really stood out was the level of collaboration and support they had for each other and the determination to keep going, despite the increasingly difficult situation.
Arts organisations are desperate to re-open and get back to what they do best and we hope that this new funding will help many of them do exactly that.”
Joanna Reid, Executive Director, Belgrade Theatre says:
“The Belgrade Theatre is hugely grateful to the Garfield Weston Foundation for its approach to the crisis: it is extremely helpful to be offered funding to contribute to a year’s activity during these very turbulent times.
The longer view gives our participation programmes much needed stability. We are thrilled to have won this award in a highly competitive field and feel it is testimony not only to the Belgrade’s strong track record but also to our ambitions for working with our communities during UK City of Culture”.