Turner Contemporary receives grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund

Turner Contemporary has been awarded £104,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today. 

Turner Contemporary is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Since opening in 2011, Turner Contemporary has driven the regeneration and transformation of Margate. The gallery has welcomed more than 3.5 million visits and had a significant impact on the social and economic life of the town. In March 2020, the gallery was forced to close because of the coronavirus pandemic, and reopened on 22 July with a range of measures in place to provide visitors with a safe environment in which to experience its artistic offer. Whilst the gallery is closed this autumn for a planned programme of refurbishment, staff at Turner Contemporary are focused on delivering artistic and learning activity online, developing future programmes, and establishing new business models that will contribute to its long-term sustainability and that of Margate and East Kent.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.”

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:

“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

Director of Turner Contemporary, Victoria Pomery, said:

“Turner Contemporary welcomes the announcement that we have been successful in attracting support from the Culture Recovery Fund. This will make a significant difference to our immediate financial situation. Over the autumn, the gallery will remain closed for a programme of refurbishment; however, our activities will continue online as we plan for reopening in spring 2021, our 10^th anniversary year.” 

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