Support is there for city's arts and cultural scene

The measures will give organisations the breathing space they need to re-focus and adjust to the evolving situation

A message of support and reassurance has been sent from Manchester City Council to cultural organisations in the city as they and the whole country respond to the unprecedented challenges being presented by the Covid-19 virus.

Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Skills, has written personally to organisations to reassure them the council is thinking of them and is closely monitoring the impact of the outbreak across all sectors of the city - including the massive impact it's having on the city's cultural offer - and that it will do whatever it can to support them.

This support includes a pledge to all cultural organisations currently receiving council funding, that the council will continue to fund them as normal during this time, to help ensure they come out as strong as possible on the other side once the current crisis is over.

As an additional measure to support them at this difficult time the council has also suspended its usual funding conditions in relation to reporting and monitoring for the next three months.  

This is to give organisations the breathing space they need to re-focus and adjust to the evolving situation they now find themselves in.  

The council letter was sent on the back of the Government's early advice around social distancing that led to a large number of organisations in the city - including theatres, orchestras, museums and galleries - deciding themselves to close their venues and operations, before being told to close by Government.

Given that it is clearly unknown how long the latest restrictions will remain in place the council is also looking to urgently identify other ways in which assistance can be provided to the city's vital and usually thriving cultural sector during the difficult months ahead.

Cllr Rahman said: "Our cultural organisations are amongst the best in the world and are a vital part of what makes the heart of this city beat.  

"Now more than ever is the time for us to stand by them and do whatever we can to ensure they get through these next few months and come out stronger than ever on the other side.  

"We'll be working closely with them and with other organisations in the city and beyond to make sure they've got the support they need to be able to keep their heads above water and, most importantly, to continue providing a wealth of cultural opportunities for everyone - something they have always ,without exception, done so well."

In addition to providing its own direct support to cultural organisations, the council's website has been updated with helpful links to other websites and organisations who can provide them with business support and advice at this time, including Arts Council England.

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