THEATRES and other venues in the district have welcomed the Government’s £1.57 billion support package for struggling arts, cultural and heritage organisations, but warn it could mean just “a month or two’s breathing space”.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said arts venues will have to demonstrate they have “exhausted all available funds” to be granted a bail-out to weather the coronavirus crisis. He said the package was aimed at two main outcomes - “to protect those crown jewels, nationally and internationally significant institutions. But also and equally vitally to help cultural institutions up and down the country where their loss would deprive communities of essential cultural experiences.”

Alex Croft, creative director of Bradford-based Kala Sangam, said the investment suggests the Government recognises "the vital role arts and culture plays in health and wellbeing". He added: "I just hope that, when they refer to the 'Crown Jewels', they're looking beyond London - to institutions like the Alhambra, Impressions Gallery and Kala Sangam. We also need to remember the many freelancers in our district who lost their incomes overnight, and find a way to ensure that this money reaches them too. Without artists, there is no art."

Alex Chisholm and Aisha Khan, co-artistic directors at Bradford’s Freedom Studios said: “We breathed a sigh of relief at news of the rescue package. In Bradford we don’t have large headline grabbing institutions such as the Royal Opera House or Leeds Playhouse. What we have is a rich abundance of talent, community focused, socially engaged, innovative arts organisations, from Bradford Literature Festival, Common Wealth, the world leading Mind the Gap, and Freedom Studios.

“We know Darren Henley of the Arts Council and (Bradford Council chief executive) Kersten England are aware of the value and strength of the arts sector in Bradford and we’re looking forward to working with them, and the rest of the cultural sector, to make sure this investment allows our artists, participants, and communities to thrive.”

Jax Griffin, director of Bradford's Drunken Film Festival, said: "I'm thrilled the Government is finally acting to support what I see as an invaluable industry - the arts. I remain cautiously concerned for the amazing grassroots venues that are the lifeblood of events like DFF. They tend to be where young artists nurture their talent, I hope the support package finds its way to them as well as major venues."

Emma Walters, director of PatronBase, which supports around 70 organisations of varying sizes, said: “£1.57 billion sounds like a huge amount, but compared to the cultural sector’s annual income of over £21 billion, represents a month or two’s breathing room. It’s vital we use this lifeline wisely - difficult decisions aren’t yet behind us. As an industry we will need the support of our communities more than ever over coming months.

David Ayres of Idle and Thackley Little Theatre said: "The lifeline is a huge boost to the arts in this time of need. However my hope is that the funding is available to theatres and music venues of all sizes, from grassroots to national venues. There's an abundance of hugely talented theatre groups, bands and acts who rely on smaller venues, and in turn bring business and help them grow. If grants are accessible to all, and a clear road map is defined with more meat on the bones, hopefully the arts will once again flourish."

Mark Brown, chairman of Bingley Little Theatre, said: "The Arts Support Package is very welcome for everyone involved in the industry. While we do not know how the funds will be distributed yet, we can only hope the government listens to regional and local theatres and arts venues, as we are often right at the heart of our communities."

Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West and Labour's Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion, said: “The funding proposed by the Government does not go far enough to protect smaller and independent creative hubs, especially in the North East and my constituency of Bradford West. The divide between the North and South is especially wider in the arts, culture and heritage sector, where many ‘crown jewel’ institutions are centralised in London. 

“Many Museums, Galleries, Music Venues and Libraries in Bradford have struggled to stay afloat under austerity, the Government must ensure that funding reaches culture, art and heritage sites in the North.” 

She added: “I am worried that freelance and self-employed people in these sectors will fall through the net and it is therefore crucial that funding is urgently provided to save the local industry and livelihoods.

“Bradford is pushing for the City of Culture Bid in 2025. The city’s art, culture and heritage institutions are an integral part of its diversity, economy and culture. I will continue to push the Government for a stronger intervention, we must protect our city’s art and cultural heritage that is already on its last legs due to a decade of Conservative cuts. The city's heritage is our local identity and we must ensure it is not lost.” 

Jenny Price, who has worked in arts centres for 30 years, warned the aid will be spread thinly: “It's for theatres, dance, music, independent cinemas, museums, galleries. For some it may be too late.”