Creative Industries Federation responds to the announcement of unprecedented financial package

Cultural and heritage organisations to be protected with £1.57 billion

The Bush Theatre

BRITAIN’S GLOBALLY renowned arts, culture and heritage industries will receive a world-leading £1.57 billion rescue package to help weather the impact of coronavirus, the government announced over the weekend.

The government’s recognition of the crucial contribution that creativity and creative talent will make to restoring our nation’s economic prosperity and getting our towns and cities working again is extremely welcome

Rick Haythornthwaite

Thousands of organisations across a range of sectors including the performing arts and theatres, heritage, historic palaces, museums, galleries, live music and independent cinema will be able to access emergency grants and loans.

The money, which represents the biggest ever one-off investment in UK culture, will provide a lifeline to vital cultural and heritage organisations across the country hit hard by the pandemic. It will help them stay afloat while their doors are closed. Funding to restart paused projects will also help support employment, including freelancers working in these sectors.

Caroline Norbury MBE, CEO of the Creative Industries Federation and Creative England, said: “This unprecedented £1.57 billion investment is a seismic step forward. Our creative industries are teetering on the brink of cultural collapse – and this could be the game changer we need. 

The arts needed urgent support

“The voice of the creative sector has been heard loud and clear by the government and we warmly welcome their response.  This investment acknowledges the mission critical role that the UK’s creative industries will play in recovery and growth in all parts of the country.

“However while this support will rescue many, so much has changed during the pandemic; there won’t necessarily be an easy return to normal. It is particularly heartening to see the reference to supporting freelancers, who are a phenomenally important part of the creative industries ecosystem. 

“But there will be so much more to do to ensure that our world-beating creative sector can thrive once more and as we move forwards through the challenging days and months ahead it will be crucial that the creative industries work together to reimagine all of our futures. 

“I’m confident the creative industries will play a vital role in powering the UK out of the forthcoming economic crisis and this investment will help the creative and cultural sector to rise to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.” 

Jefferson Hack, CEO and Co-founder of Dazed Media, said: “An inspired move from government to stop our cultural institutions from collapse and give our arts and cultural sector the necessary boost to not only survive but innovate through the pandemic. This will help lift all communities, economically and spiritually from the spectre of mass unemployment and closure of beloved venues towards hope for a brighter future for all.”

Stephen Page, Chief Executive, Faber & Faber, said: “Our arts and cultural sector is essential to our society and to our world-leading creative industries. This government support recognises this and is most welcome.”

Rick Haythornthwaite, Chair, Creative Industries Federation and Creative England, and Chairman, Mastercard said: “Whatever one’s sector, network payments included, creativity has always been an essential ingredient of success and imaginative, creative talent the wellspring of our most successful products and services. And the existence of this extraordinary pool of  talent is no accident.

“Behind its development lies the UK arts and cultural sector, a deep hinterland of content, creative education, technology and inspiration that is suffering deeply at the hands of the pandemic.

“The government’s recognition of the crucial contribution that creativity and creative talent will make to restoring our nation’s economic prosperity and getting our towns and cities working again is extremely welcome.”

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