Culture creates jobs, supports livelihoods, and brings joy to everyone. At the end of a challenging year this is something that we can all take pride in.
Last year Icon benefitted from a grant from the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund. This allowed us to invest in our digital infrastructure. As a result we have a new feature-rich website supported by a powerful membership database. However, we still face financial challenges as our regular income sources have dwindled and the downturn in the sector has reduced our capacity to increase our membership numbers.
We are therefore extremely thankful for the Government’s continuing support for the cultural sector. Alongside a host of other small, but vital, heritage sector organisations we can announce today that we have received a further £83,900 in funding from the Culture Recovery Fund.
This new support will keep the wheels turning until the end of this financial year and buys trustees and staff valuable time in which to refresh our membership growth plans and to seek new sources of sustainable income. We will also be able to launch our campaign to offer our well-respected Icon Accreditation to an international audience and to expand our work supporting apprenticeships and vocational training.
We want to make it possible for anyone with a passion for heritage to feel welcome in the conservation profession and to enjoy a rewarding career in our field.
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
This latest round of the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage provides a welcome Christmas boost for Heritage organisations. With the situation changing daily, the funding will be crucial in helping heritage sites navigate their seasonal activities, ensuring the safety of their visitors and their communities.
Icon fully recognises the Government’s unprecedented investment through the Culture Recovery Fund. We are grateful that the UK Government is #HereForCulture so that we can continue to weather the storm of Coronavirus and come back stronger.
Icon and its members are #HereForCulture too.
About #HereForCulture - a message from the Government
#HereForCulture is a movement that unites the public, Government and cultural organisations in support of cinemas, theatres, music venues, museums, galleries and heritage. By being #HereForCulture, we aren’t just supporting the people in the industry, we’re also supporting communities across the country.
Whether on the global stage or quietly in our own lives, culture inspires, uplifts, comforts and entertains us. In these challenging times, it’s our turn to continue to provide a lifeline and show our support. Everybody should have the opportunity to access a wide-range of high-quality cultural experiences, which is why it is so important that we support arts and cultural venues, cinemas and heritage sites in local communities to survive and thrive.
The Government is #HereForCulture with an unprecedented amount of funding for the cultural sector, provided on top of the furlough scheme, bounce-back loans and emergency grants. The public continues to be #HereForCulture by getting back out and enjoying cultural activities in our local areas as organisations safely reopen their doors.
Join us to show your support – whether it’s announcing or welcoming funding or promoting online or COVID-secure ways to experience and enjoy culture.