Leisure centres and theatre benefit from £1.57bn culture recovery fund

Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture, which also runs the Embassy Theatre in Skegness, has been awarded £249,500 to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Trust is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support.

£257 million of investment has been announced 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.

Over the last five years Magna Vitae has built a strong portfolio of leisure and cultural activities focusing on health and wellbeing within local communities helping people to live a great life.

The award of this grant will enable this vital and inspirational work to continue which is needed now more than ever.

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.”

Mark Humphreys, Magna Vitae Chief Executive, said: “The Cultural Recovery Fund Grant will help us to continue to deliver and develop our future aspirations as a Charitable Trust.

"We can now move forward with our plans to be a diverse and impactful organisation shaping the provision of culture in our area for a bright future.”