This award will help us manage the repercussions of the restrictions and temporary closure caused by the pandemic, as well as to continue our community activities and making our work accessible.  

More than £100 million has been awarded to hundreds of cultural organisations across the country including Lichfield Garrick Theatre in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.  

The third round of funding will support organisations from all corners of the sector as they deal with ongoing reopening challenges, ensuring they can thrive in better times ahead.  

Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries said: 

“Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from. 

“Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”  

Over £1.2 billion has already been awarded from the unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund, supporting around 5000 individual organisations and sites across the country ranging from local museums to West End theatres, grassroots music venues to festivals, and organisations in the cultural and heritage supply-chains.  

Karen Foster, Lichfield Garrick's Chief Executive, said:  

"This is the best news we could have had at this time.  As a small, independent arts charity which has been closed during Covid restrictions, this award will help to sustain us whilst protecting our staff, audience and performers.    

Christmas came early to the Lichfield Garrick today with this wonderful news enabling us to look forward to the real Christmas with All New Adventures of Peter Pan, The Mince Pie Mice and our Santa’s Grotto all benefitting from the financial sustainability which this grant brings.  My heartfelt thanks to the Arts Council England for this award and to the Chancellor for supporting the arts ecology which brings so much joy and economic benefit to our country. "

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said: 

“This continued investment from the Government on an unprecedented scale means our theatres, galleries, music venues, museums and arts centres can carry on playing their part in bringing visitors back to our high streets, helping to drive economic growth, boosting community pride and promoting good health. It’s a massive vote of confidence in the role our cultural organisations play in helping us all to lead happier lives”. 

Notes to Editors 

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our strategic vision in Let’s Create that by 2030 we want England to be a country in which the creativity of each of us is valued and given the chance to flourish and where everyone of us has access to a remarkable range of high quality cultural experiences. We invest public money from Government and The National Lottery to help support the sector and to deliver this vision. www.artscouncil.org.uk.   

Following the Covid-19 crisis, the Arts Council developed a £160 million Emergency Response Package, with nearly 90% coming from the National Lottery, for organisations and individuals needing support. We are also one of the bodies administering the Government’s unprecedented Culture Recovery Funds. Find out more at www.artscouncil.org.uk/covid19.