Devon entertainment organisations get grants

To help them get back on their feet

Cash support is coming to a number of Devon’s arts organisations from the government's Cultural Recovery Fund to help the sector get back on its feet.

Live venues have been closed for much of the past year, but still have high fixed costs such as buildings and insurance to pay. The sector has laid off or furloughed a large number of staff, and relies heavily on freelance workers. The grants are to help them return "to a sustainable and viable operating model."

Although the maximum award is £2.5 million, most of the grants are smaller. No one in this round in Devon received more than £750,000.

A statement provided on behalf of the organisation from the Exeter Northcott says the money "will help Exeter’s cultural organisations look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand in the transition back to normal operations in the months ahead."

Applicants didn't have to be not-for-profit organisations, meaning some private companies in the entertainment business such as record labels or technology providers were eligible, but others, such as Radio Exe, weren't. Exeter-based touring company Theatre Alibi didn't apply for funds because they have relatively low fixed costs.

The grants include:

Cavern Exeter: £25,000

Daisi: £53,733

DMF Music: £27,750

Double Elephant: £24,048

Exeter City Council {(Museums) £45, 063

Exeter Northcott Theatre: £91,681

Exeter Phoenix: £96,011

Fool's Paradise: £58,400

GoldCoast OceanFest: £150,000

Kaleider: £29,500

Le Navet Bete: £73,197

Luminous Show Technology Ltd: £62,616

Magic Carpet, Exeter: £27,270

Plymouth City Council (museums): £211,500

Theatre Royal, Plymouth: £728,000

Daniel Buckroyd, artistic director and chief executive of Exeter Northcott welcomed the news. "The financial impact of prolonged closure is devastating for so many cultural organisations and we expect to feel the impact for years to come. With this investment, we can re-build our business and create much-needed opportunities for the many freelancers and artists who need our support and will be essential for ensuring Devon is a thriving, dynamic and creative place."

Katie Keeler, executive producer at Kaleider said; "This funding is fantastic news because it will allow us to keep our staff team intact and continue making new work to tour across the UK and globally. We had several artworks mothballed last year at the last moment due to festivals being cancelled, in one case even after being shipped to Australia. This funding will help stabilise the company and make sure these artworks are seen by audiences when restrictions finally lift."

RAMM's boss Camilla Hampshire said: "RAMM plays a vital role in Exeter’s post-Covid recovery. It is a place of escape from the daily stress and struggle of the pandemic, and we will be able to use this funding to establish RAMM as a place of healing and recovery, re-connecting people with their history, their city and each other."