Stuart Anderson MP has welcomed extra funding from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has received an extra £410,000. It means that the constituency has now benefitted from over £2.5 million funding. The Culture Recovery Fund has already supported over 5,000 institutions with £1.2 billion during the pandemic, helping to protect jobs and supporting British culture.
Now, Wolverhampton’s very own Grand has become one of 925 arts, heritage, and cultural organisations across the country to benefit from a further round of £107 million. Theatres are receiving over £30 million in vital continuity support so that they can help to keep their doors open and welcome audiences to pantos and plays this Christmas. Stuart has welcomed the latest funding, which will be a lifeline to regional theatres such as the Grand Theatre as well as local museums, independent cinemas, and many more venues throughout the winter, bringing more culture to more places across the country.
In Parliament, Stuart has consistently spoken of his determination to see more local organisations and community groups continue to benefit from such investment. In the run up to the Spending Review last month, Stuart called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to invest more in initiatives that reinstate civic pride and drive extra investment in areas where it is most needed. Stuart was delighted when the Chancellor announced £850 million more for cultural and heritage infrastructure to safeguard national treasures and boost culture in local communities and on high streets. Theatre, orchestras, museums, and galleries can also benefit from increased tax relief as they invest in new productions and exhibitions.
Culture and heritage has been designated as a key priority for the next round of the Levelling Up Fund, which will invest £4.8 billion in the infrastructure of everyday life due to open in the Spring. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund, due also to launch next year, will make even more funding available for cultural facilities and help people to access opportunities in places in need, particularly disadvantaged groups.
Stuart Anderson MP said: “I am thrilled that Wolverhampton’s very own Grand Theatre has received an extra £410,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund. The Grand Theatre has brought magic, entertainment, and comedy to many generations and I am delighted that this funding will help them continue to do so.
When the Government first announced details of this Fund, I called on Ministers to ensure that it reached grassroots organisations. I am proud that Wolverhampton has now secured over £2.5 million to help our cherished cultural assets become the vital community hubs that they were prior to COVID-19.
Investing in cultural assets can help to rejuvenate communities, attracting tourists to the area, growing a skilled workforce and, vitally, strengthening the attachments between communities and places. Culture also brings people together and strengthens communities. I will continue campaigning for even more funding to help level up opportunities and unlock our great nation’s creative potential.”
Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport the Rt. Hon, Nadine Dorries MP: “Culture is for everyone and should therefore be accessible to everyone, no matter who they are and where they’re from. Through unprecedented government financial support, the Culture Recovery Fund is supporting arts and cultural organisations so they can continue to bring culture to communities the length and breadth of the country, supporting jobs, boosting local economies and inspiring people.”
Full list of funding is at www.artscouncil.org.uk/publication/culture-recovery-fund-data.
For Wolverhampton South West, this has included:
- Wolverhampton Art Gallery (£159,758)
- Gorgeous Nightclub (£50,000)
- Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (£2,099,847)
- Arena Theatre (University of Wolverhampton) (£50,000)
- Newhampton Arts Centre (£128,022)
- Boundary Way Allotments and Community Garden (£27,400)
- Light House Media Centre (£7,028)
- Asylum Art Gallery: (£12,500)