UK venues, theatres, galleries and more given £1.57 billion government support package

UK venues, theatres, museums, galleries and more have been given a £1.57 billion government support package.

The package - which also covers independent cinemas and other cultural venues - is split into grants and loans.

The announcement comes after pressure from industry figures who warned the coronavirus pandemic would have severe consequences for the arts and culture sector.

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Cultural organisations in England will receive £1.15bn, made up of £270 million in loans and £880m in grants. There will also be £100 million in targeted support for English Heritage and national cultural institutions in England.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive £97m, £59m and £33m respectively, while £120m will be put towards restarting construction on cultural infrastructure and heritage construction projects that were paused due to COVID-19.

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UK culture secretary Oliver Dowden said: They [arts and culture] make our country great and are the lynchpin of our world-beating and fast growing creative industries."

Boris Johnson stated the package "will help safeguard the sector for future generations, ensuring arts groups and venues across the UK can stay afloat".

[Photo: Jake Davis for HungryVisuals]

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Commercial Content Editor, follow him on Twitter

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