Wiltshire Creative given over £440,000 as part of national grant to save theatres

Wiltshire Creative will receive a grant of £446,968 from a share of £257 million from the government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

It's hoped this money, that will be given to 1,385 arts venues, will help allow performances to restart, venues to plan for reopening and to protect jobs and create opportunities for freelancers.

For Wiltshire Creative, it will help them deliver their outreach and community programmes and develop local creative talent in the area.

Wiltshire Creative External Relations Director Helen Taylor said:

“The whole team has been working really hard to make sure that our audiences can return to enjoying performances and screenings safely and our social distancing adjustments now allow for lots of leg room and tables for refreshments, designed by our workshop team. Some have likened it to a first class upgrade!”

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 - from the Beamish museum in County Durham to the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Bristol Old Vic.

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."

This is the first phase of culture funding from the government, with more groups set to benefit soon.

Arts Council England will distribute the funding to all the organisations.

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:

"Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages.

This is a difficult time for us all, but this first round of funding from the Culture Recovery Fund will help sustain hundreds of cultural spaces and organisations that are loved and admired by local communities and international audiences.

Further funding will be announced later in the month and we are working hard to support creative organisations and individuals during these challenging times."

Many theatres and Arts Venues have been unable to reopen since lockdown hit, with many jobs being lost already.

The Salisbury Playhouse is back for a series of shows, including dance and stand up comedy, on Wednesday (14th October).

It welcome back audiences for six weeks, with a number of changes for social distancing.

This includes reduced capacity.

For all details on Wiltshire Creative's shows, visit their website.

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