Hastings Borough Council gets funding boost from Culture Recovery Fund

Hastings Borough Council has received money from the Culture Recovery Fund, a Government fund distributed by Arts Council England. The Culture Recovery Fund aims to support organisations as they start to reopen during April-June 2021.

The money will be used to maintain the council's support for the town's vibrant arts and culture scene, including Hastings Museum & Art Gallery, the White Rock Theatre and Hastings Contemporary. It also allows the council to continue to support local festivals and public events such as Stade Saturdays and St Leonards Festival, as well as maintain the council's Arts & Cultural Development Match Funding Grant which supports individuals and organisations to apply for additional grants.

Because of this funding, the council will also be supporting the #HereForCulture movement, which unites the public, government and cultural organisations in support of our fantastic cinemas, theatres, music venues, museums, galleries and heritage.

Kevin Boorman, Marketing and Major Projects Manager at Hastings Borough Council, said,

"We are very pleased indeed that we been successful in our application to the Cultural Recovery Fund.  This grant will allow the council to continue to support arts, culture and heritage as we approach the summer season.

"We look forward to continuing to support the local festivals and venues including Hastings Museum & Art Gallery. The museum has many exciting exhibitions coming up in 2021, so this boost of funding is very welcome"

A Government spokesperson for culture, said,

"Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced.

"Now we're staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead."

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, added,

"Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. 

"We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society."