This grant will help to reduce the deficit caused by the effects of the pandemic and will provide the agency with much needed security in this extraordinary year.
The money will allow The Audience Agency to continue to support the sector through the crisis with their organisational needs. Already over 1000 cultural practitioners have attended one of our free Bounce Forwards webinars and 18,000 have accessed our free COVID-19 recovery resources, which offer insight on changes in engagement habits and attitudes, guidance on reopening and ideas for strategy change during the pandemic. This grant will ensure we can continue creating these resources and services built from our leading cultural data set, Audience Finder and sector-leading experience. In particular, organisations are asking for support on anticipating changes in audience behaviour, on the development of new digital business models, on increasing the diversity and involvement of audiences, on collaboration and place-based working.
Anne Torreggiani, CEO The Audience Agency says:
“We are very grateful to receive this grant, especially when we are aware so many organisations continue to struggle with the economic impacts of the virus. This financial support means we can continue to listen to the needs of the industry and respond with useful and actionable insights and resources. Our Bounce Forwards COVID-19 Recovery Package remains our priority at the moment, serving to support the sector through the fallout of the virus.”
The Audience Agency is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment was announced this week 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.
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.”
The Audience Agency’s Bounce Forward COVID-19 Recovery resources can be found at theaudienceagency.org.uk/bounce-forwards .