Beamish museum to receive almost one million pounds in government funding to support business through winter

Beamish Living Museum of the North is to receive £970,000 from the government to support the business through the winter.
Beamish Museum will receive almost one million pounds in government fundingBeamish Museum will receive almost one million pounds in government funding
Beamish Museum will receive almost one million pounds in government funding

The museum is among several venues and organisations to receive a share of £257 million of Government funding which aims to help the struggling arts sector.

The tranche of cash is part of the Government’s £1.6 billion Culture Recovery Fund where the funding will help performances to restart, assist venues to plan for reopening, protect jobs and create freelance opportunities.

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Sir Nicholas Serota, the chairman of Arts Council England, which is distributing the money, said: “Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages.

“This is a difficult time for us all, but this first round of funding from the Culture Recovery Fund will help sustain hundreds of cultural spaces and organisations that are loved and admired by local communities and international audiences.”

Liverpool’s Cavern Club, Bristol’s Old Vic theatre and the London Symphony Orchestra are among more than 1,300 arts venues and organisations receiving Government funds.

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Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation.

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“It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country – from the Beamish museum in County Durham to the Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Bristol Old Vic.”

The announcement comes after Rishi Sunak was accused of an “incredibly insulting” attitude towards the arts by frustrated workers currently unable to earn an income.

The Chancellor was criticised last week when, during an interview about the effect of the pandemic on people working in the arts, he spoke about the need to “adapt” and suggested there would be “fresh and new opportunities” available for those who could not do their old jobs.

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But Mr Sunak has denied he was suggesting people in the struggling creative industries should retrain and find other jobs after coronavirus left them unable to work.

Further funding for the arts sector is due to be announced next month.

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