Music industry bodies have welcomed the government's announcement of £257 million for cultural organisations and venues across the country.
The announcement means that a number of music venues, along with other arts organisations, that applied for less than £1 million from the government’s £1.57 billion cultural recovery fund earlier this year, will now receive a share of the government money to help them survive the next six months.
An estimated 90 percent of applications for funding to the Arts Council have been successful in a major boost to live music and venues. Among them are: Liverpool’s Cavern Club, Ministry of Sound, The Horn, St Albans, The Clapham Grand, Electric Ballroom in Camden, and The 100 Club. There were grants for Exeter Cavern, Futuresound Group in Leeds, Hebden Bridge Trades Club, Brighton Dome and many more.
Geoff Taylor, chief executive, BPI, BRIT Awards and Mercury Prize, said: ‘We applaud this investment by Government into the future of music and arts. We are delighted to see a wide range of different organisations, from famous venues to orchestras, local pubs and nightclubs, receive funding. This will not only help sustain our cultural life, it will make it easier for music to bounce back as a major driver of economic growth.’
Paul Pacifico, chief executive, AIM, said: ‘It’s fantastic to see the first tranche of funding from the Culture Recovery Fund announced. While there is still a long way to go, this is a great start and we are grateful to see £257 million distributed to such a broad range of applicants, who are being supported across so many art forms and music genres, and in so many different parts of the country.
‘We will continue to engage with our colleagues at DCMS and the Arts Council to help wherever we can to optimise each round of funding as it becomes available, making sure it is invested broadly but also strategically so that our sector can bounce back as rapidly and holistically as possible.’
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, chief executive, UK Music, said: ’This funding is fantastic news and will be a lifeline for so many music venues that have been struggling to survive since they first felt the impact of Covid-19 in March.
‘It is a huge vote of confidence in the £5.2 billion UK music industry, and recognises that our industry will be a key part of the post-pandemic recovery.
‘The music industry has worked hard to help itself and all those who depend on it to make a living, and shown incredible ingenuity in its fight to get back on its feet.
‘This crucial Government investment in our cultural infrastructure will reap major dividends in the years ahead as we emerge from the pandemic. While the music industry will still need support to help it recover, particularly for the 72% of our sector who are self-employed, today is a hugely welcome first step.
‘Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and the Government should be congratulated for these vital steps to preserve our world-leading music industry. This funding will help pave the way for music to become one of the great British success stories of the next decade.’
