LGA responds to Government's arts funding announcement

6 Jul 2020 02:45 PM

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, responded to the Government’s £1.57 billion support package to help protect the futures of UK theatres, galleries, museums and other cultural venues 

“It is great that the Government has recognised the importance of culture to the social fabric of our nation by announcing this funding which will be a lifeline to many theatres, galleries and museums which have been severely impacted by coronavirus.

“Arts and culture not only bring in nearly £11 billion to the UK economy ever year, but also improve public health and education, and can contribute to community cohesion. 

“Councils in England spend more than £1 billion each year on arts and culture, and would be well placed to distribute elements of this new funding to help ensure it reaches local cultural organisations, as well as national institutions. 

“We look forward to seeing the detail of the funding package and hope it will be accompanied by a detailed timeline for the reopening of theatres and other live venues, ensuring these important institutions can play their part in the nation’s recovery.”

Notes to editors

Councils in England run more than 3,000 libraries, and more than 350 museums, public archives, numerous theatres and galleries, and are responsible for many monuments and historic buildings. 

£1.57 billion investment to protect Britain’s world-class cultural, arts and heritage institutions