In an open letter addressed to chancellor Rishi Sunak and culture secretary Oliver Dowden, more than 400 artists and creators called for urgent funding to help individuals and businesses who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Johnny Marr, PJ Harvey and Nick Cave are among those who have warned the UK government that the country risks becoming a ‘cultural wasteland’ without significant financial support from the Government.
The letter was penned by the chief executive of the Creative Industry Federation, Caroline Norbury.
Norbury writes: ‘With venues, museums and cinemas closed, film shoots postponed and festivals cancelled, the UK’s world-leading creative industries are in deep trouble.
‘Creative organisations and professionals need cash, and they need it now. Whilst government support measures for businesses and the self-employed are welcome, we know that there are still thousands of creative organisations and freelancers who are falling through the gaps, and who simply will not get through this crisis without urgent cash support.’
The government launched a £160 million emergency fund for artists and creative organisations in the UK last month, but not everyone has been eligible to apply for it. Some are facing similar issues with the chancellor’s plan to pay self-employed workers up to 80 percent of their recent earnings.
A survey by the Creative Industries Federation showed that only one in seven organisations have the resources to remain operational until the of April.
This open letter comes shortly after the Music Venues Trust announced the launch of the #SaveOurVenues campaign. The campaign has been created in response to the continued economic threat to over 500 grassroots music venues throughout the UK.
