Success for Curwen from Government's Cultural Recovery Fund

Oct 12, 2020

Curwen Print Study Centre has been awarded £53,973 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.

Curwen Print Study Centre 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.

Curwen established as a Fine Arts Charity in the 1990’s has been providing educational teaching and support to Artists of all abilities for over 20 years. Until the pandemic Curwen had been financially self-sustaining and continued to offer support to Artists throughout lockdown and established an online shop to allow Artists the opportunity to sell their work. The studio re opened in July with a new covid safe layout and Artists are back printmaking albeit with 40% less capacity.

Lorraine Chitson Centre Director said:

“This grant will ensure we can financially continue to operate supporting both Artist printmakers and Tutors throughout these challenging times and allow us to continue planning for what was to be an exciting future in new premises.”

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.”