As part of the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, the Cambridge Arts Theatre has just been awarded £985,000 in order to face the ongoing challenges presented by the pandemic.
Administered through Arts Council England, the grant will ensure that the theatre’s immediate future is safe, enabling the team to plan for a successful recovery and safe reopening over the coming months.
“We are incredibly relieved and grateful to receive this vital grant,” says Dave Murphy, chief executive at Cambridge Arts Theatre. “It is however, a bittersweet moment for us because many of our loyal staff have had to leave the theatre as a result of this crisis and many in the freelance theatrical community are still really struggling.”
“This grant will enable us to start rebuilding our theatre from solid foundations and to play our part in reopening our industry,” Dave continues. “We are all looking forward to welcoming our greatly missed audience back as soon as possible.”
Cambridge Arts Theatre occupies a very special place in the hearts of many in Cambridgeshire
Ian Mather, chairman of the Cambridge Arts Theatre Trust, adds: “Cambridge Arts Theatre occupies a very special place in the hearts of many in Cambridgeshire. This award gives us a vital lifeline and will help our amazing team at the theatre to get our doors open again as soon as possible.”
The Culture Recovery Fund forms part of the #HereForCulture campaign, designed to protect jobs, restart performances and create work for freelancers. Cambridge Arts Theatre is one of 588 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support – with £76 million of additional investment announced following the £257 million awarded earlier in the month to 1,385 organisations.
Keep an eye on the Cambridge Arts Theatre website for more information and updates.
