The U.K. government announced a £1.57 billion relief package for cultural institutions earlier in the month. Perhaps owing to the #LetUsDance campaign launched by the Night Time Industries Association last week, £2.25 million of the sum has been set aside for music venues.
Until September 30th, 2020, venues throughout England threatened by COVID-19 restrictions can receive grants ranging from £1,000-80,000. Establishments in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland will be eligible for separate aid. £2.2 million was recently approved for the latter, for instance.
“This funding is available to venues whose main function is to present live music events for a public audience in the grassroots part of this sector,” reads a description on the Arts Council website. “It’s open to live music venues across all music genres, and also to multi-arts venues that host other events and entertainment other than music within which music forms a major part of their activity.”
The application window opened July 25th and will close midday, August 3rd, 2020. Applicants will be notified of whether or not they will receive a grant by 6:00 PM on August 10th.
Image credit: Alexander Popov