Stephen Morgan MP has today welcomed the latest round of grants to help the city’s arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic but has called on Ministers to finally end the uncertainty for those in the creative sector who have missed out on financial support
In the Portsmouth South constituency, the Cultural Recovery Fund has today awarded grants totalling £1,066,493 to over six organisations from Concrete Music to The Mary Rose. Moreover, across Portsmouth, a total of £1,143,047 has been awarded to eight organisations.
Arts Council England has awarded over £261 million to more than 2,700 organisations as part of this round of the national programme.
The Portsmouth South MP has been tirelessly lobbying Government to support the city’s arts and cultural organisations and those who work in the sector in what has been an extremely challenging time for the industry.
This has included meeting with local representatives, submitting parliamentary questions, visiting organisations to hear concerns, supporting funding bids and lobbying Ministers directly.
Welcoming today’s latest grants round, Stephen Morgan MP, said:
“I have long argued that when our country recovers from this pandemic culture must be front and centre. Yet so many of our city’s fantastic arts and cultural organisations have been under huge strain in the past year, with venues closed and ticket and secondary sales lost.
I am pleased that the lobbying of Government is finally paying off and these grants will go a long well to help many organisations get back on their feet and recover from a difficult year.
It was a pleasure to work alongside so many in the sector to secure much needed funding for Portsmouth, but we have more to do to get Ministers to listen, and ensure the strong foundations we need for the future”.
The Cultural Recovery Fund has been designed to support venues rather than individuals in the creative sector. On this the city MP added:
“Our city’s recovery will not just be about making sure organisations have the resources they need to thrive, but also support is given to those amazing creatives who work within the sector.
Last month’s Budget made only a small adjustment to the support for the self-employed but there are still millions without support – many of whom work within the creative and events sector here in Portsmouth.
That’s why I will continue to lobby Government to make sure those excluded from financial support are not forgotten. They need certainty too and they need it now”.
Local beneficiaries of the Cultural Recovery Fund also include:
- The Cathedral Church of St. Thomas of Canterbury in Portsmouth (£121,000 )
- Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust (£222,300)
- PRCDTC Portsmouth St Johns Cathedral (£102,200)
- The Wedgewood Rooms (£73,686)
- Groundlings Theatre (£32,582)
- SSD Music limited (£299,002)
- Portsmouth City Council – Museums (£160,640)
- The Kings Theatre Trust (£172,931)
