Manchester’s international symphony orchestra, the Hallé, has been awarded £740,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to help ensure the Hallé has a sustainable future. The announcement was made today by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
The announcement is fantastic news for Manchester, the North West and the many other communities around the country which the Hallé serves. We are hugely grateful to all our partner local authorities, including Manchester City Council, the Greater Manchester authorities and Mayor’s office, as well as authorities in Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford, Blackburn and many more who continue to support our work.
The funding makes possible a series of streamed events from Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, likely to start at the end of November, and will play a vital part in the Hallé’s long-term fight for recovery.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:
“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.
“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”
Arts Council England Chair Sir Nicholas Serota said:
“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”
Hallé Chief Executive David Butcher said:
“This is fantastic news that will help secure our exciting digital plans and, more importantly, maintain the Hallé’s pioneering ambitions for next year and many years after that. Our aim is nothing short of a full recovery, allowing us, ultimately, to welcome back all our audiences in Manchester and beyond. Crucially we must fully re-engage with the tens of thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds who we work with through our education and community programmes. If we succeed it will be because of help such as this grant, and the remarkable support shown by our sponsors, corporate supporters and trusts. Above all it will be because of our audiences – patrons, subscribers, groups and thousands more ticket buyers – who have supported us so magnificently over the past months and whose on-going help we cannot exist without.”
