MS Welcomes Support for Culture and Arts Sector

Organisations in the culture and heritage sector can find out if they are eligible to apply for financial support from the Welsh Government’s £53m Cultural Recovery Fund.

The new fund will see music venues; recording and rehearsal studios; Heritage organisations and historic attractions; accredited museums and archive services; libraries; events and their technical support suppliers; independent cinemas and the publishing sector being able to bid for a share of £18.5m.

The latest funding is part of the Welsh Government’s £53m package to support the culture and arts sectors which are coping with a dramatic loss of revenue as a result of the pandemic.

A separate element of the Cultural Recovery Fund, worth £27.5m, is being delivered through the Arts Council of Wales to support theatres and galleries. This fund was launched 17 August with details available on the Arts Council’s website.

The online eligibility checker is now open and organisations will be able to make applications for support from the fund from 14 September. The closing date for applications is 30 September.

A non-repayable grant of up to £150,000 (up to 100% of eligible costs) per organisation will be available via two application entry points:

• Under £10k: quick process for smaller organisations based on eligible costs
• Between £10k – £150k: more detailed process based on eligible costs.

The triage system will indicate the appropriate route for organisations to follow.

The Eligibility Checker for the  Cultural Recovery Fund can be found at https://fundchecker.businesswales.gov.wales/culture

There will also be a £7m fund for freelancers to support individuals in the sector who have been impacted by the pandemic. Please visit the eligibility checker to find more detail for this fund.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said:

“We have listened to, and worked with our partners across the cultural and creative sectors to put this second package of support together. 

“We are today opening our eligibility checker for the funding. This will allow companies to find out if they will be eligible to apply and then give them time to prepare their applications, ahead of the fund opening for applications later this month.”

Vaughan Gething MS said:

“I welcome the funding package announced for our culture and arts sector. I know that the sector has faced unprecedented challenges as a result of the pandemic. This funding will help to support the recovery of groups across Cardiff South and Penarth and across Wales”.