Leeds-based arts charity East Street Arts have announced that they have been awarded additional funding.
This grants programme is part of the Government’s £1.57 billion package to protect the UK’s culture and heritage sectors from the economic impacts of Covid-19.
East Street Arts have received £118,421 which will cover the ongoing losses being incurred by the Art Hostel and Convention House in addition to losses on permanent and temporary properties used as artist studios.
The aim of this Culture Recovery Fund: Grants programme is to support cultural organisations as they transition back to a viable and sustainable operating model during April-June 2021. The grant will be a great boost and will help to cover income loss on the organisation’s revenue and to ensure financial viability in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The funding will also be used so that East Street Arts can ensure they comply with the current safety legislation for the Art Hostel and their other buildings. They will work with industry experts along with support from Leeds City Council Visitors Economy team (LCCVE) and Leeds Hotel and Venues Association (LHVA) to improve the physical infrastructure according to covid regulations and restructure operations to accommodate a phased opening.
They will utilise the funds to guarantee that East Street Arts is a safe and trusted brand, covid-secure, and that their buildings are safe for staff, artists, audiences, and visitors.
Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of 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.”
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.”
Melody Walker, Business Development Lead at East Street Arts, commented:
“This is a significant boost from the Culture Recovery Fund which will help us to get back on track and move the organisation forward following the pandemic.
We are grateful to Arts Council England and DCMS who have helped secure our future, COVID has had a devastating impact on the arts and tourism and we hope with the phased opening of two important capital projects, Convention House and the Art Hostel we can continue to play a key role in the life of our city and our local economy.”
