Southampton based arts charity ‘a space’ arts has been awarded £216,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today.
‘a space’ arts is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.
It means ‘a space’ arts – which has been supporting artists in Southampton for 20 years – will be able to plan ahead and begin the partial reopening of God’s House Tower from April 2021, as well as carrying on supporting artists in the city and helping them develop new work.
‘a space’ arts director Daniel Crow (pictured above) said: “It’s fantastic news. Thank you to the Arts Council and DCMS. It feels like an opportunity now to stabilise, reset and plan ahead. Following a really challenging year of closing venues we can now continue our core work of supporting Southampton’s visual artists as well as looking ahead to reopening God’s House Tower next year.”
The Southampton-based charity runs artist studios in Captain’s Place, creative workspaces in Winkle Street, public art projects and a talent development programme for Southampton visual artists.
Between October 2019 and March 2020 the organisation welcomed 14,449 visitors into God’s House Tower, after successfully completing a £3.1million refurbishment on the historic Town Quay building – and before having to shut GHT due to Covid restrictions.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:
“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.
“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”
Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:
“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”