Curve to receive support from third round of government's culture recovery fund

• Theatre among 925 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the Culture Recovery Fund

More than £100 million has been awarded to hundreds of cultural organisations across the country, including Leicester’s Curve theatre, in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

Curve, which finally reopened its doors in May after over a year of closure, has been awarded a grant of £350,000 by Arts Council England. Commenting on the news, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:

“We are indebted to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for investing in Curve with a further grant from the Culture Recovery Fund. 

“The CRF grants have been a lifeline for Curve – not only have we been able to continue to operate as an organisation and engage audiences and participants digitally during the periods of closure, but the funding has allowed us to employ hundreds of freelance artists and safely reopen our theatre. Sadly, Covid remains an ongoing challenge for our entire industry and this third grant is crucial in helping us to safeguard a future for Curve. 

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our principal funders Arts Council England and Leicester City Council as well as our wonderfully supportive audiences, friends and sponsors.”

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.

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”.