Further Government Funds For Sussex Culture Groups Hit By Covid-19 Financial Losses

Monday, 19 October 2020 10:13

By John Warburton @Warblefly

An evening meeting at Sussex combined arts festival "Into The Wild" (Photo: © Jethro Tanner)

Groups across Sussex have benefitted from the second round of the government's Cultural Recovery Fund.

The funds, distributed to the rest of the country as well, have helped 588 arts and cultural organisations receive a share of more than £76m in government support to offset the financial troubles caused by Covid-19, and allow future sustainability.

The government said the funds should provide a "lifeline" for groups working to share culture with local communities.

This tranche of awards follows an earlier round announced on October 12.

Among other recipients, in Brighton the Hofesh Shechter Company is receiving £250,000.

According to the government, it will enable the company to run a reduced programme, including completion of a new commission that will premiere in March 21, as well as development of a digital learning programme for schools.

Hofesh Shechter Company is recognised internationally as a boundary-breaking dance company founded by Israeli choreographer, dancer and composer Hofesh Shechter who was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Choreography in 2016 for his work on Bartlett Sher’s revival of Fiddler on the Roof.

Hofesh said:

"I feel an incredible sense of relief that Hofesh Shechter Company has been supported by the DCMS and ACE through the Culture Recovery Fund.

"To those who made this decision - thank you.

"This is a meaningful step, a meaningful moment and a critical one, bringing renewed hope to the dancers, the team, the company and all its freelance collaborators and will, in return, have a direct impact on all those we wish to inspire.

"The last 7 months have been difficult for all of us collectively and this offers the arts an opportunity to rebuild the foundations for a creative future.

"There are still many challenges ahead - but it is the lifeline we need to move forward with more certainty.

"It allows us to progress from survival mode to the hopeful state of recovery."

The Awards

In Brighton and Hove:
- Artpod Ltd, £53,000 for Visual arts
- Brighton People's Theatre, £50,000 for Theatre
- Hofesh Shechter Company, £250,000 for Dance
- Le Gateau Chocolat Ltd, £215,305 for Combined arts
- ONCA Trust Ltd, £50,000 for Visual arts
- Otherplace Productions Ltd, £289,479 for Theatre
- Rocket Artists, £79,665 for Combined arts
- Same Sky, £67,000 for Combined arts
- Joogleberry Limited, £132,000 for general development
- Ooosh Tours Ltd, for £58,695 for Music
In Chichester,
- DMP, £71,760 for Theatre
- Illustrated World Series, £70,000 for Visual arts
In Eastbourne, the Eastbourne Studio Pottery, £50,000 for Visual arts
In Wealden,
- Into the Wild arts festival, £93,000 for Combined arts
- Enchanted Horsham 2020, £55,586 for Combined arts
- Farleys House & Gallery Ltd, £116,400 for Museums
In Mid Sussex, the Ensemble Reza, £51,727 for Music
In Worthing, Atom Promotions, £58,000 for Music