Arts Council England has launched a £160m emergency package for theatres, galleries, museums and artists who have been hit by the global coronavirus pandemic.
The cash injection will help artists, venues and freelancers in the cultural sector. It comes after attractions were told to close across the UK.
Arts Council England’s support package includes £20 million for individuals, £90 million for National Portfolio Organisations and £50 million for other organisations outside of the National Portfolio.
Arts Council England chair, Sir Nicholas Serota, said: “COVID-19 is having an impact globally, far beyond the cultural sector – but our responsibility is to sustain our sector as best we can, so that artists and organisations can continue to nourish the imagination of people across the country, both during the crisis and in the period of recovery.”
UK galleries and museums close over COVID-19
ANNOUNCEMENT: Emergency Response Package for #Covid19 crisis. Today we're announcing £160 million of investment for people and organisations in the cultural sector. Supporting you the best we can during this crisis remains our No.1 Priority: https://t.co/XTnQvtkFbn
— Arts Council England (@ace_national) March 24, 2020
“None of us can hope to weather this storm alone, but by working together in partnership, I believe we can emerge the stronger, with ideas shared, new ways of working, and new relationships forged at the local, national and even international level,” he added.
The support package comes from emergency reserves, as well as diverted funds from National Lottery grants and development funds. The first payments should be made within six weeks.
Earlier this month, the British Museum, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Tate and V&A temporarily closed in London amid COVID-19.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed that one million jobs are being lost every day in the travel and tourism sector, in light of COVID-19.
