Arts Council England Launches £2.25m Emergency Grassroots Music Venues Fund

The Emergency Grassroots Music Venues Fund is intended to help England’s live music venues that are at imminent risk of insolvency because of trading restrictions caused by coronavirus (COVID-19). This initiative forms part of a £1.57 billion government funding package to protect the UK’s culture and heritage sector during the pandemic.

The scheme is targeting venues that were financially sustainable before the pandemic, offering grants to ensure they remain solvent until 30 September 2020. It will support venues hosting music genres including rap, R&B, hip hop, rock, blues, indie, metal, soul, popular music and many others.

There is a total budget of £2.25 million available. Applicants can apply for grants ranging from £1,000 to £80,000, to cover operational costs incurred between 4 August and 30 September 2020. Arts Council England anticipates the majority of awards will be around £15,000.

Ongoing costs that cannot be covered because of reduced income levels can be funded. This includes general running costs and overheads, such as rates and utilities, personnel and staffing costs and mitigating losses.

All live music venues in England, whose main function is to present live music events for a public audience in the grassroots, are eligible to apply. Venues can include pubs, clubs, cafes or bars, combined arts venues, community venues or village halls that host live music.

There will only be one funding round and the deadline for applications to be submitted is 3 August 2020 (12:00 BST).

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says the Government is working to deliver the rest of the £1.57 billion emergency package as quickly as possible.

More information about this funding opportunity and the application process is available on the GRANTfinder funding information platform. GRANTfinder provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on funding news and policy. To find out more about how GRANTfinder can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.