Many creative organisations across London might have to take their acts online if they do not receive extra funding.
The government issued the second of four rounds of their Cultural Survival Fund over the weekend.
199 organisations in London received a share of £27,146,077. In the previous round, 428 organisations in the capital got £87,027,172 between them.
But it is still unclear which organisations will not be getting help. This is because the government have only notified successful funding applicants. Rejected applicants are currently unaware that this is their fate.
Theatre companies sending a message of solidarity [Xavi Bird/City News]
A positive alternative
Despite this, there are some organisations that have not had to apply at all. This is thanks to alternative measures that they took as a result of the pandemic.
Exit Productions, a game-based theatre company based in Streatham, is one of these organisations.
The creative director, Joe Ball, explained how they have turned pandemic restrictions into a positive force.
“The restrictions forced us into coming up with a new idea called ‘Jury Duty’. It’s an interactive game which casts 12 audience members as members of a jury on a murder case.”
Ball said that, in this way, Coronavirus restrictions have actually helped the company achieve better financial results than they would normally have done.
“By not having a physical space we’ve found access to a much wider pool of people to participate… and there’s obviously less rent.”
Ball feels that the true success of the project lies in its ‘live’ quality.
“Unless you can find that quality then your show just becomes TV and that isn’t as effective.”
The importance of the arts [Xavi Bird/City News]
The grim reality
Creating this quality is much more difficult for artists who are not involved in the interactive game world.
This is why so many artists are waiting for the next round of funding to be announced. The third round is expected this weekend.
The CEO of Night Time Industries Association, Mike Kill, has welcomed any form of financial help. But, in an interview with Talk Radio, he also stated that whatever comes to artists will only be a short-term solution.
“The only way that we can save everyone is by opening the doors.”
London entering Tier 2 of Covid-19 restriction levels means that doors will not be reopening any time soon.
These restrictions may have resulted in the flowering of creative responses for some in the arts. But the spotlight is now firmly fixed on those who will be unable to adapt.
Without government aid, it is only a matter of time before the final curtain closes on them.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineMore Culture May Have to Be Online Despite Covid-19 Arts Fund
Short HeadlineCan London Culture Survive Online in Tier 2?
StandfirstSome culture venues in London have been successful despite stricter lockdown measures, but this will still be hard for others to replicate.
Many creative organisations across London might have to take their acts online if they do not receive extra funding.
The government issued the second of four rounds of their Cultural Survival Fund over the weekend.
199 organisations in London received a share of £27,146,077. In the previous round, 428 organisations in the capital got £87,027,172 between them.
But it is still unclear which organisations will not be getting help. This is because the government have only notified successful funding applicants. Rejected applicants are currently unaware that this is their fate.
Theatre companies sending a message of solidarity [Xavi Bird/City News]
A positive alternative
Despite this, there are some organisations that have not had to apply at all. This is thanks to alternative measures that they took as a result of the pandemic.
Exit Productions, a game-based theatre company based in Streatham, is one of these organisations.
The creative director, Joe Ball, explained how they have turned pandemic restrictions into a positive force.
“The restrictions forced us into coming up with a new idea called ‘Jury Duty’. It’s an interactive game which casts 12 audience members as members of a jury on a murder case.”
Ball said that, in this way, Coronavirus restrictions have actually helped the company achieve better financial results than they would normally have done.
“By not having a physical space we’ve found access to a much wider pool of people to participate… and there’s obviously less rent.”
Ball feels that the true success of the project lies in its ‘live’ quality.
“Unless you can find that quality then your show just becomes TV and that isn’t as effective.”
The importance of the arts [Xavi Bird/City News]
The grim reality
Creating this quality is much more difficult for artists who are not involved in the interactive game world.
This is why so many artists are waiting for the next round of funding to be announced. The third round is expected this weekend.
The CEO of Night Time Industries Association, Mike Kill, has welcomed any form of financial help. But, in an interview with Talk Radio, he also stated that whatever comes to artists will only be a short-term solution.
“The only way that we can save everyone is by opening the doors.”
London entering Tier 2 of Covid-19 restriction levels means that doors will not be reopening any time soon.
These restrictions may have resulted in the flowering of creative responses for some in the arts. But the spotlight is now firmly fixed on those who will be unable to adapt.
Without government aid, it is only a matter of time before the final curtain closes on them.
