Sheffield scoops more than £1.5 million to help city's culture sector survive

Grants announced today have been awarded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport from the second round of its £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has announced details of 2,700 organisations being offered nearly £400 million in grants and loans to help the culture sector reopen and recover after the coronavirus pandemic, on top of the £1 billion already allocated in the first round.

Over £35 million has been awarded to organisations in Yorkshire and the Humber, with £754,000 going to Sheffield Theatres Ltd and £551,714 to Sheffield City Trust.

Another £159,100 has been awarded to Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust and £42,000 has been awarded to Music in the Round to help fund its annual Chamber Music Festival, which runs online this year from May 11-15.

Sheffield’s Showroom cinema has been awarded £174,916 to reopen and encourage audiences to return. There are also plans to introduce new elements to the programme for particular audiences, including an anime event, developing a local archive, and targeted screenings for young people with reduced tickets

The funding is aimed at helping organisations welcome back visitors and return to normal operating models in the months ahead

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.”

Jo Towler, Music in the Round’s Executive Director, said: “Music in the Round is absolutely delighted to have received an award from the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

“It means we can give our audiences an amazing high-quality online Sheffield Chamber Music Festival in May, broadcasting music and events from our Crucible Studio home into their homes across the world.

“This award also enables us to purchase the technical equipment required to create high-quality online events in the future, so those who are not able to attend in person can continue to enjoy our music.”

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