Redundancies

[kerry davies]

https://www.nme.com/news/music/government-announces-1-57-billion-support-package-for-uk-arts-industries-2701834

Possible light at the end of the tunnel for the industry or it could be a train...

The Observer says the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, is under fire for refusing to give another £10bn to the NHS, despite his pledge to provide the health service with "whatever it needs". 5th July 2020.

Chancellor indicates he is willing to write blank cheque to cope with a pandemic. 8th March 2020.

No comment!

[Stuart91]

Possible light at the end of the tunnel for the industry or it could be a train...

 

I don't want to stray towards politics again, but one thing is clear:

 

This new funding is not intended to make good the losses of the past few months, it's to try to stop venues from closing in future. So it's a very strong indication that the government do not think that normal performances will be able to resume any time soon.

[Ynot]

https://www.nme.com/...ustries-2701834

Possible light at the end of the tunnel for the industry or it could be a train...

Nah - that'll be some bugger with a torch bringing more work.... :P

 

 

 

 

[ImagineerTom]

Possible light at the end of the tunnel for the industry or it could be a train...

 

I don't want to stray towards politics again, but one thing is clear:

 

This new funding is not intended to make good the losses of the past few months, it's to try to stop venues from closing in future. So it's a very strong indication that the government do not think that normal performances will be able to resume any time soon.

Also buried in the announcement is that funding will be administered by the Arts Council and that part of the application will " have to prove how they contribute to wider economic growth."

That means it's not going to be the automatic qualification process used for previous schemes and that applications are going to be much more along the lines of existing arts council applications with local impact and cultural quality being much more important than need or financial viability.

[Stuart91]

much more along the lines of existing arts council applications with local impact and cultural quality being much more important than need or financial viability.

 

I guess it makes sense to have an established body administering the funds, but I've already seen complaints elsewhere that the Arts Council is London-centric with a lean towards the grander projects.

 

Realistically the government was never going to allow the Albert Hall or Royal Opera House to go under, but hopefully the larger, more prestigious venues won't soak up all the funding.

[Junior8]

That means it's not going to be the automatic qualification process used for previous schemes and that applications are going to be much more along the lines of existing arts council applications with local impact and cultural quality being much more important than need or financial viability.

 

 

 

I fear you're right Tom. Sadly.

 

 

 

 

 

[themadhippy]

Realistically the government was never going to allow the Albert Hall or Royal Opera House to go under, but hopefully the larger, more prestigious venues won't soak up all the funding.

Straight from the horse mouth.

The funds first of all to protect the crown jewels,the things that define us as a nation both nationally and internationally,but secondly

(if theirs any crumbs left on the table)

to protect the little local venues,whether that is the theater or gallery which is often the only place people can go to access the culture.

so if your not a theater or gallery tough luck

[kerry davies]

Meanwhile the MSM and local Tories are slamming Mark Drakeford who responded with;

When the UK government announces a headline figure, what they very often don’t tell us is what is new money, and what is money that they are simply recycling from existing budgets.

It’s why I’m reluctant today to commit to saying anything on the £59m, because so easily on Wednesday we could learn that we are losing money from other changes made at Whitehall and there won’t be £59m after all.

[MarkPAman]

Also, in an email from a friend, yesterday:

Ahead of today's announcement, the Arts Council announced a reopening of their Grassroots Investment Fund so that <we> can continue <our> application for monies to replace and upgrade the lighting system, which was put on hold when the crisis started.

Let's hope that's not some of the same money.

Edited July 7, 2020 by MarkPAman