Dafydd Elis-Thomas MS, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The Welsh Government is today announcing a £53m fund to help Wales’ diverse culture sector deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The fund is intended to provide essential support to theatres, galleries, music venues, heritage sites, museums, galleries, archive services, events and festivals, and independent cinemas who have all seen a dramatic loss of revenue due to the pandemic. Funding will support both organisations and individuals in the sector.
Today’s announcement comes on top of the £18m portfolio package provided in April, which was delivered by the Welsh Government, Arts Council of Wales and Sport Wales.
We have listened and worked with our partners across the cultural and creative sectors to put this second package of support together. We would like to put on record our thanks for working constructively with us to deliver this support. We recognise the massive and unprecedented challenges the pandemic is having on the very fabric of Welsh life and we applaud the resilience and creativity on show.
The fund will be delivered jointly with the Arts Council of Wales and has a “cultural contract” at its heart to help the sector emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever. This package will help support many in the sectors in responding to the pressures and challenges coronavirus has placed on them, it also presents a unique opportunity to deliver a step change – we will develop a cultural contract so that the sector can re-emerge stronger. This would ensure successful applicants commit to ensuring public investment is deployed with a positive, targeted social purpose.
The total funding package is £53m in 2020-21 comprising £50m revenue and £3m capital. Further details, including guidance for applicants, will be announced later in August.
This statement is being issued during recess in order to keep members informed. Should members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.