Bectu welcomes £53m Welsh Government COVID-19 arts rescue package

Bectu has welcomed the the Welsh Government decision to invest £53m to help Wales’ diverse culture sector deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Welsh Assembly building in Cardiff

The fund will be delivered jointly with the Arts Council of Wales and has a “cultural contract” at its heart to help the sector emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever, said the Welsh Government.

The news comes on top of an £18m package provided in April, which was delivered by the Welsh Government, Arts Council of Wales and Sport Wales.

The Cultural Recovery Fund aims to help protect organisations, individuals and jobs in: theatres; music (venues, businesses and individuals); events and festivals; independent cinemas; galleries; heritage sites; museums; libraries and archive services.

David Donovan, Bectu negotiations official for Wales, said: “Our members in the creative industries are experiencing very hard times, with many freelancers and self-employed people excluded from any form of financial support.

“Theatres and live events still face major challenges even if they can start returning to work, because of the restrictions caused by social distancing and the time needed to get shows up and running.

“This latest fund may be too late for some, but for others it will provide some breathing space while they try to get back on their feet.

“We will be organising briefings for members over the summer as the details become clearer of how and when the funding will be distributed. We will also be emphasising the urgent need to support individual creative freelancers and self-employed people.”

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism Lord Elis-Thomas said: “We recognise the massive and unprecedented challenges the pandemic is having on the very fabric of Welsh life and we applaud the resilience and creativity on show.

“This package will help support many in the sectors in responding to the pressures and challenges coronavirus has placed on them. It  also presents a unique opportunity to deliver a step change – we will develop a cultural contract so that the sector can re-emerge stronger.

“This would ensure successful applicants commit to ensuring public investment is deployed with a positive, targeted social purpose, which is only right.”