News and Views

Cumbria Tourism says £3.1million awarded to thirteen arts and cultural organisations across the county will be a lifeline for venues which have been hit hard by the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The county’s official Destination Management Organisation is congratulating the recipients of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, which has been announced today.

Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake will receive the largest slice of funding, with £878,492 to support the theatre and to help cover losses as a result of coronavirus. Meanwhile Tullie House in Carlisle will receive £494,800.

The other recipients in Cumbria are:

• Audio Collective Ltd (for Music): £51,000
• Bar Thirty Two Ltd (for Music): £50,000
• Barrow Borough Council – The Forum (for Combined Arts): £100,000
• Brantwood (for Museums): £221,000
• Brewery Arts Centre (for Combined Arts): £237,8157
• Lakes Story Ltd - The Old Laundry Theatre (for Theatre): £250,000
• Rosehill Arts Trust (for Combined Arts): £207,281
• Rosehill Youth Theatre (for Theatre): £89,397
• Signal Film & Media (for Combined Arts): £75,000
• The Beacon (for Museums): £252,000
• Wordsworth Trust (for Museums): £242,355

Today’s news follows last week’s announcement that a number of Cumbria’s heritage organisations are set to receive a financial boost totalling £1.16million from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. That included:

• Dalemain Historic House and Gardens: £57,400
• Farfield Mill Ltd: £44,400
• Heron Corn Mill (Beetham): £75,600
• Levens Hall: £165,500
• Lowther Castle Ltd: £200,200
• Morecambe Bay Partnership: £63,200
• Muncaster Castle: £479,200
• South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society: £84,300

Managing Director of Cumbria Tourism, Gill Haigh, said, “Our county has an exceptional cultural offer, and this funding is absolutely vital to maintaining the brilliantly creative and inspiring arts and cultural organisations we have in Cumbria. It is desperately important that they survive this crisis not just for the economic benefits they bring into the county, but for the fabric and wellbeing of our local communities.

“Today’s news is an important step in protecting jobs and helping organisations get back on an even financial footing, amid continuing uncertainty and ever-evolving government restrictions. However, we also know that there is a very challenging winter ahead and cultural and heritage organisations of all sizes will still need help and support to see them through.

She added, “Arts, culture and heritage are absolutely integral to Cumbria Tourism’s ongoing Recovery Marketing Campaign and we will be continuing to work collaboratively with the industry to further amplify Cumbria’s profile as a cultural hub. Our priority is to inspire visitors – new and old – to experience a range of cultural attractions that, in turn will incentivise visitors to stay overnight, further boosting the visitor economy as a whole.”

Colin Glover, Chair of Cumbria LEP’s Creative and Cultural Sector Panel, said: “We hugely welcome this source of funding at a time of considerable strain for businesses and organisations in the sector. Those businesses contribute so much to the well-being of the county, for local people and visitors alike. Their importance was recognised earlier this year when, in conjunction with Cumbria County Council, CLEP published Cumbria’s Creative and Cultural Strategy to further develop the sector.

“I am proud of the commitment towards continued growth that the Sector has already demonstrated and I hope that this funding can help ensure that Cumbria really is the ‘Natural Capital of Creativity and Culture’.”

Commenting on today’s news, Andrew Mackay, Director of Tullie House, added: “As a charity, our survival is dependent on the income we generate on site. We rely on people paying admission, buying refreshments and gifts and hiring our venue. In 2020/21, income has been severely restricted due to this dreadful pandemic. This grant will help us survive this financial year, but we still need people to visit us. We are a Covid-secure venue so please, if permitted, come and see what we have to offer. We need your support.”