Unfolding Theatre to receive £34,000 from Culture Recovery Fund

Photograph from Frost of Forgetfulness made with visual artist Bethan Maddocks at Woodhorn Museum

Unfolding Theatre has received a grant of £34,000 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover from the impact of the pandemic. 

More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Unfolding Theatre in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

The funding will support the making of a brand new co-production, generating new theatre for North East audiences and employment for freelance artists and production staff. The funding will also help develop Unfolding Theatre’s community co-creation practice through a series of pop-up creative exchanges. 

Unfolding Theatre’s Artistic Director, Annie Rigby, said:

“This funding will make a big difference to Unfolding Theatre’s recovery from the pandemic. We are really proud of everything we’ve achieved in the last year to reach audiences, employ artists and keep going as a company. However, there was so much that was put on hold. The funding will enable us to invest in making ambitious new theatre and be even bolder in co-creating with communities.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.  

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

“Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.  

We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:

“Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced.

Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead."

At the Budget, the Chancellor announced the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund would be boosted with a further £300 million investment. Details of this third round of funding will be announced soon.