Thanks to Arts Council England and the government's Culture Recovery Fund, we can continue to be here for Culture, here for Heritage & here for Cornwall.

We are delighted to have heard today that we have been awarded £100,000 from the latest round of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund as we plan for our reopening later this year.

More than £300 million has been awarded to some 2,700 cultural organisations across the country in the second round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

As we continue with our transformation project, we are truly grateful for this award which will be used to re-engage with audiences across Cornwall and for stage programme and technical preparations as we plan and look forward to our reopening later this year.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to reopening and recovery as they transition back to normal in the months ahead. 

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced. Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead."

Julien Boast, Hall for Cornwall’s Chief Executive and Creative Director, said: “Like thousands of venues across the country we can’t wait to reopen and in our case it will be the first opportunity for people to see the amazing transformation we have undergone over the last three years. This money will help us reconnect with audiences across Cornwall and prepare for our exciting inaugural season later this year. We are grateful to the Cultural Recovery Find and Arts Council England for their continued and invaluable support.”

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: “Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic.

“These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.  We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute. 

The pandemic has hilighted how much community matters and our new home will be a beacon for the county, playing a vital role in Cornwall's economic recovery. Our reimagined theatre will provide welcome spaces for schools and community groups and new backstage facilities will widen access, helping us to provide many more creative opportunities for young people and schools.

We're passionate about throwing open our doors and welcoming you all back to a new theatre which has people, passion and possibility at its heart.

We are truly grateful to the partnership working of all our funders on this project which is being supported by Arts Council England, Cornwall Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, HM Treasury, the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, the European Regional Development Fund and an army of passionate and committed supporters.