Culture Recovery Fund grant for The Poly

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Falmouth’s historic live arts venue, The Poly, has been named among the recipients in the second round of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

Following the first round announcement earlier this month, the Poly in Falmouth has been awarded £79k, a grant which has been described as a “lifeline” by the much-loved venue after recent struggles due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Sue Radmore, chair of trustees, said: “We’re so grateful and relieved to be making this announcement. Like many other arts and cultural organisations, since our doors closed in March this year we weren’t sure what the future of The Poly looked like, and we’re thrilled that Arts Council England have been able to give us this lifeline.”

Other Cornish arts organisations to receive second round funding include the Kneehigh Theatre, which has been pledged £250k.

Executive director, Michelle Carwardine-Palmer, said: “The overnight loss of box office income and international touring placed our company into a precariously vulnerable position. Throughout the last six months we have continued to create, releasing our first film, The Neon shadow, launching new stories on our Walk With Me app, and setting creative challenges to thousands online in our Windows to the World project.

“Securing Cultural Recovery Funding will now enable Kneehigh to reimagine its operating model, reignite its creativity and prepare the company to present its work in front of live audiences once again – and we can’t wait.”

Calstock Arts receives £52k through the fund, while Porthleven-based event management company, ILOW HQ, has been granted £158k.