With the UK arts sector still waiting for details of the Government’s £1.57bn funding package, Heart of England Community Foundation and Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 have joined forces to award more than £56,000 to 95 organisations and individuals in the region.
The Coventry 2021 Coronavirus Resilience Fund was dedicated to supporting arts organisations and individuals based in Coventry and Warwickshire with grants up to £1,000. Aimed at helping those whose futures were in a very vulnerable position, such as Vanny Radio, a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, community internet-based radio.
Thaddeus Atiemo, CEO at Vanny Radio, said: “During these hard times when our own financial security hangs in the balance, Heart of England and the Coventry City of Culture came to our rescue at the right time when we needed help the most. With this support, we have been able to pay our major bills that without could have led us to shut down during the pandemic and stopping our support to our service users.”
Tina Costello, Chief Executive at Heart of England Community Foundation, said “We have seen first-hand the devastating effect that Covid-19 has had on some of the most treasured arts venues and we felt, and still feel, that we have a duty of care and responsibility to ensure that we do everything we can to make sure that they all see it safely through what is set to be a challenging few months and secure them a future that goes beyond this pandemic. Teaming up with Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 has enabled us to fast-track this support and provide grants to nearly 100 organisations and individuals.”
