The Old Rep Theatre has been awarded £60,000 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.
The Old Rep Theatre 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.
The Old Rep is a young people driven theatre situated on Station Street in the centre of Birmingham. We present a year-round programme of theatre, dance, comedy, musicals and creative workshops. The Old Rep is an iconic venue that occupies a unique place in theatre history as Britain’s first purpose-built repertory theatre. As of 2014, The Old Rep is managed by Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA). BOA was established in 2011 as an academy for 14 - 19 year olds specialising in creative, digital and performing arts. The academy has established itself as a centre of excellence for the arts, forging strong links with creative industries regionally, nationally and internationally. This grant will support the Theatre whilst we are unable to have public performances and help us prepare for welcoming audiences back to the Old Rep Theatre.
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.”
Michael Penn, Executive Director, said:
“We are very grateful to the Culture Recovery Fund for recognising the great work The Old Rep Theatre does at engaging with the community and allowing young people to access the arts.
We look forward to welcoming audiences back to our theatre.”