Early support for creative sector

The Council is bringing forward £687k of planned financial support for Cornwall’s cultural and creative sector to help organisations that have been heavily affected by the impact of the Covid-19 virus.

The organisations set to receive funding include local theatres, creative workspaces, performing art organisations, creative business support organisations, Cornish language community groups, museums and galleries and cultural community groups across Cornwall.

Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for culture, economy and planning, Bob Egerton said: “We support many creative and cultural organisations and recognise their important contribution to Cornwall’s economy.

“They deliver innovative projects to create jobs and build on the already strong economic success of creative industries which make a significant contribution to the Cornish economy.  They also encourage communities to get involved with what makes Cornwall’s distinct culture and identity so special and distinctive, not just in the UK but globally.

“During these unprecedented times, we are accelerating a funding package to support those organisations who receive grants from the Council.  We want to help them be in the strongest financial position to be able to continue contributing to our economy and our Cornish culture and creativity when this crisis is over.”

The measures being carried out by the Culture and Creative Economy team include:

• Paying annual revenues grants and reviewing payment schedules for 2020/2021 upfront to give organisations the strongest financial viability possible
• Reviewing and renegotiating what each organisation will deliver to help them adapt their approach and enable activity to get back underway as soon as the situation improves
• Extending the 2018-2022 programme for a further year until 2023 rolling over the existing annual budget to continue to offer support in line with Arts Council England’s commitment to their National Portfolio Organisations.

To ensure appropriate support can be put in place to assist a successful recovery phase for our creative sector, all creative organisations and self-employed individuals are encouraged to take part in Baseline, a survey being facilitated by Creative Kernow in partnership with the wider cultural sector including the Culture and Creative Industries team at Cornwall Council.

The survey will collect data about the impact of COVID-19 on the creative and cultural sectors in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly.