“OVER the moon!”

These were the words of Justine Sowden, Ilkley Playhouse’s Theatre Manager, when she heard the good news that Ilkley Playhouse has been awarded a grant from Arts Council England of £60,454.

This will ensure the Playhouse’s future until March, whatever Covid-19 throws at us and is a huge relief and cause for local celebration.

A small team including Justine, Bruce Piper, Jamesine Cundell Walker, Niccola Swan, Geraldine Woodhouse, David Park and Colin Waterman had worked on the bid: full of alternating hope and despair.

Justine said: "The Playhouse is immensely proud to receive the grant as it validates the work that everyone involved in the Playhouse does: from the wonderful band of volunteers who give of their time and expertise to run the bar, provide coffee and teas, build sets, make costumes; not forgetting the committee members who cast the plays and plan the seasons, the directors, the actors and all the backstage support without which no play would ever see the light of day!

"We hope our loyal audience members will also celebrate the news with us as we continue to plan for different ways to bring live theatre and events to the local community until ‘normal services’ can be resumed."

Jamesine Cundell Walker, the Artistic Director for the Playhouse said: "I am delighted that the Arts Council recognised that the Playhouse is a central artistic hub for the area. We produce our own wonderful theatre and host so many professional and community events in our well-equipped building. Thanks to this grant, normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. Please support us when we re-open to ensure our continued viability and stay safe until then."

Justine added: "This support from the Cultural Recovery Fund will allow us to retain staff, continue to promote arts and culture in Ilkley and ensure that we are able to hit the ground running when we are finally able to open our doors. I am desperate that this will be sooner rather than later. It is incredibly reassuring to know that we can continue to do our best to support our community, our audiences, our members, our young and older people and all of the people that make arts and culture happen at the Playhouse. Most importantly, it means that we can face the challenging months ahead with hope."

The grant is one of a number made to theatres, museums and art organisations that had taken a financial hit due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

Further announcements on the funding administered by Arts Council England will follow soon; applicants for grants of over £1 million, and those that applied to the Repayable Finance programme, will be notified of their outcomes shortly.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “This is more vital funding to protect cultural gems across the country, save jobs and prepare the arts to bounce back. Through Arts Council England we are delivering the biggest ever investment in the arts in record time. Hundreds of millions of pounds are already making their way to thousands of organisations.

“These awards build on our commitment to be here for culture in every part of the country.”

Sarah Maxfield, Area Director North, Arts Council England said: “The pandemic has had a massive impact on the whole range of organisations working in the North’s cultural sector – theatres, music venues, festivals, museums and the companies who support them with technical sound, light and staging services. The cultural sector makes a huge contribution to The North’s economy, quality of life and communities.

“Today we are announcing much needed investment and support from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to a group of organisations across the North – with more announcements in the coming weeks – providing an essential lifeline so the cultural sector can survive and come back strongly in the future.”