Kent arts and theatre groups and historic venues including Chatham Historic Dockyard awarded £5m from government's Cultural Recovery Fund
06:00, 02 April 2021
A multi-million pound funding package to support dozens of arts groups across Kent has been awarded by the government.
Theatres, galleries, performance groups and arts organisations throughout the county will receive a share of a £5 million kitty.
The funding provided by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will help support the arts and culture sector emerge from the pandemic .
The 46 groups in Kent include Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust (CHDT), POW Thanet and Chiddingstone Castle.
It is the second round of funding announced by the government as part of its £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund.
The pot awarded to Kent-based organisations is worth £4,977,388.
Culture scretary, 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."
Funny Women, a comedy community run by women in Medway, will be awarded £40,000.
The workshops, conferences and stand-up events it runs to aim to give women a voice through performance, writing and humour in business and every day life.
Funding will help provide programming, fundraising support, streaming and provide PPE equipment.
Lynne Parker, founder and chief executive of Funny Women CIC, said: “Once again, I am delighted, and relieved, that comedy at grass roots level is being recognised and I don't think any of us would have got through the last year without a sense of humour.
"Culture is always a reflection of today's society and live comedy is a significant part of our creative output in all its forms, from small clubs to big theatres. We will fill them again.
"The work we do at Funny Women is a significant and vital part of today's cultural landscape.
"This funding makes the world of difference to my team and the hundreds of women in our community who have looked to us for guidance and inspiration during successive lockdowns.
"We've not stopped producing comedy and as we launch the 2021 Funny Women Awards, the support we are receiving from DCMS ensures that we can continue to provide inclusive, diverse and accessible outreach programmes and much needed entertainment."
CHDT is the charity responsible for overseeing the Chatham Historic Dockyard, which is the world's most complete dockyard from the age of sail. It comprises of 80 acres and 47 scheduled ancient monuments.
The trust will receive £384,144 to support investment in developing its online resources for schools and other educational tools. It will also support care for its collections, visitor operations and community engagement work.
Chief executive Richard Morsley said: “We are absolutely delighted and incredibly grateful for the support given to the Historic Dockyard Chatham. We are rightly proud of our contribution as an independent heritage organisation in terms of our social, cultural and economic impact.
“The challenges faced as a result of the pandemic have been profound and this vital funding helps protect the Historic Dockyard Chatham as an important cultural asset, and more importantly, supports our financial resilience enabling us to thrive and grow in the long term.
“This funding is crucial in enabling us to continue to tell the story of the Royal Navy’s 400-year connection with Chatham and the Medway Towns, helping us to drive our tourism economy and post-Covid recovery.
"We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the site as soon as government guidelines allow, and to delivering a brilliant and engaging visitor experience.”
The £25,070 grant to POW! Thanet – one of the UK's only women's arts organisations – will strengthen its abilities to explore issues around feminism, women and girls with projects throughout the year on top of an annual festival.
The money will allow the group to continue its artistic and community outreach activities and research and plan for future years and provide office space and workshops.
Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director at Arts Council England said: “Thanks to the fund, we can offer extra support to the arts and cultural sector in the South East.
"From youth ballet to opera, theatre to grassroots music, the South East is brimming with cultural organisations that enrich the lives of local communities.
"This funding will make a real difference to these organisations as they get ready to welcome audiences and visitors again.”
A full list of grants awarded during the latest round of funding by Kent council area is:
Ashford
Enchanted Entertainment LTD - £62,500
John Lawsons Circus ltd - £73,874
SGM LIGHT UK LTD - £271,774
Canterbury
CSP in the Park - £35,849
Horsebridge Arts Centre - £25,305
Jones Nightclubs - £453,563
Manhattan Events - £30,000
Dover
Evolution Productions - £134,398
Future Foundry - £25,000
Folkestone and Hythe
FHODS (Folkestone and Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society) - £55,000
Sally Hogarth Ltd - £25,000
Screen South - £87,678
Strange Cargo - £51,335
The Chambers - £109,629
Gravesham
NOCTURNAL TOURING & ROOTED PRODUCTIONS - £143,624
Maidstone
Maidstone Borough Council - £34,373
Visual Elements LTD - £566,472
Medway
BOB KING CREATIVE LIMITED - £204,177
Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust - £384,144
Dizzy O'Dare - £25,000
Funny Women - £40,000
LV21 Ltd - £25,000
Sevenoaks
Chiddingstone Castle - £25,102
The Lost Estate Ltd - £53,674
The Stag Community Arts Centre - £211,908
Swale
Acrojou - £63,824
F1 Sound Company Limited - £200,000
RouteStock CIC - £49,126
Urban Soul Orchestra Ltd - £43,576
Thanet
1927 - £95,100
Broadstairs Folk Week - £59,420
Elsewhere Records Ltd - £27,442
Faith In Strangers - £53,500
Margate Arts Club - £29,787
POW! Thanet - £25,070
Resort Studios - £53,516
SPACER - £35,000
The Margate School Ltd - £67,500
Video Illusions Ltd - £233,176
Westcoast Kent Community Interest Company - £34,527
Tonbridge and Malling
Mojo Rental UK Ltd - £149,176
Moomba Productions - £54,000
MUSIC@MALLING - £28,199
Reece Tee - £139,720
Tunbridge Wells
Trinity Theatre and Arts Centre - £109,850
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - £271,500
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