Orchestra of the Swan has been awarded £130,000 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.
Orchestra of the Swan 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.
The much-needed funding couldn’t have come sooner for the Orchestra of the Swan, who performed their first socially-distanced concert ‘The Living Orchestra-New Beginnings’ last week at the Stratford Play House, after a long six month break due to Covid-19.
“The last six months has been an incredibly challenging time for us and many other art organisations within the UK.”
Orchestra of the Swan’s Managing Director, Debbie Jagla said “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Culture Recovery Fund. The last six months has been an incredibly challenging time for us and many other art organisations within the UK.
“This funding is a real lifeline not only for OOTS and its freelance players, but for our audience who can continue to enjoy fantastic high quality performance both live and online. This funding is also essential for the support we provide to the regional community in both care homes and in schools.”
“This funding is a real lifeline not only for OOTS and its freelance players, but for our audience who can continue to enjoy fantastic high quality performance both live and online.”
The Culture Secretary Oliver Downden 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.”
Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair of Arts Council England 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.”
Orchestra of the Swan’s next performance will be a cross-genre Night Owl Series, Luna available online only from 5 November, which is a unique musical experience inspired by planet Earth’s mysterious neighbour the Moon, to be filmed and recorded without an audience. Tickets are available https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/orchestra-of-the-swan/t-zapqnr
Comments
That has to be the best possible news of this whole difficult episode. Congratulations to all who have held the ship together.
Brilliant!