Responding to the Government’s £1.57 billion
support package to help protect the futures of UK theatres,
galleries, museums and other cultural venues, Cllr
, Chair of the Local
Government Association’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board,
said:
“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.
