Several music venues receive support from second round of UK Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

The London Symphony Orchestra, Wigmore Hall Trust and Philharmonia are among the recipients benefiting from the second round of the UK Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

More than £300 million has been awarded to 2,700-plus cultural organisations across the country in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today. 

Among the highest-receiving classical music organisations were:

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (£755,917)

The Wigmore Hall Trust (£500,000)

London Symphony Orchestra (£423,000)

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd (£498,000)

Philharmonia Limited (£440,686)

Over £800 million in grants and loans had already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

This second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus, this funding will be a helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

Read Lifeline grants from government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund announced

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: ‘Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.

Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.’

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: ‘Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. 

We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.’

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.