Arts Council England has announced that theatres, galleries, museums and artists in England who have been hit by the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic will have access to a £160m emergency fund.

The aim is to help artists, venues and freelancers in the cultural sector.

Support

The support includes £20m for individuals (made up of grants of up to £2,500), £90m for National Portfolio Organisations — venues and others that get annual funding, and £50m for organisations outside that scheme.

It has been reported that the money has been diverted from National Lottery project grants and development funds, and emergency reserves. The first payments are expected to be made within six weeks.

The support includes £20m for individuals (made up of grants of up to £2,500), £90m for National Portfolio Organisations — venues and others that get annual funding, and £50m for organisations outside that scheme4BR

Responsibility

Arts Council England chair, Sir Nicholas Serota told the BBC: "Covid-19 is having an impact globally, far beyond the cultural sector — but our responsibility is to sustain our sector as best we can, so that artists and organisations can continue to nourish the imagination of people across the country, both during the crisis and in the period of recovery."