Funding boost announced for Wales’ arts and culture sectors

The Welsh government is making £15.4m available to support the arts and cultural sector in Wales during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The additional support, as part of the third round of the Welsh government’s Cultural Recovery Fund (CRF), will specifically support organisations impacted by the recent alert level 2 measures Ministers have put in place to control the spread of the Omicron variant.

The previously announced winter stability fund has now been merged into the third round of CRF to ensure alignment with the funding support on offer.

Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden, said: ‘We are fully aware that these impacted sectors continue to face new pressures, which is why we’ve been working with the Arts Council to make this additional funding available as soon as possible.

‘The innovation and resilience which has been demonstrated by the people and organisations which make these sectors so vibrant has been remarkable – we want to ensure that the sector continues to play a part in our recovery from the pandemic and in bringing people together once more.

‘The culture sector also plays an important part in our economy and this is yet another step in the support that we are offering to businesses. Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve provided over £2.6bn of support to businesses throughout Wales to help them manage their way through difficult circumstances.’

The Arts Council of Wales launched its application process for organisations on 12 January.

To be eligible, businesses will have to self-declare that they have experienced a material impact through reduced turnover between December 2021 and February 2022.

Chairman of the Arts Council of Wales, Phil George, said: ‘Through this fund the Arts Council will continue to provide essential support to ensure the viability and survival of cultural organisations across Wales who are facing a period of serious financial challenge.

‘Working alongside colleagues in Welsh Government, we are determined to ensure that arts and cultural organisations who play a key role in the wellbeing of communities across Wales will be able to bring solace, delight and vision as we struggle with the pandemic and as we recover and rebuild. The need for this support has obviously become even more urgent as a result of the impact of the Omicron variant.’

In related news, a £1m fund is being launched by the Welsh government to support up to 500 unemployed people and young people not in education, employment or training to start their own business.

Photo by Taylor Floyd Mews