Bucks County Museum Gets Award from Culture Recovery Fund

Bucks County Museum Trust in Aylesbury, Bucks has received a grant of £216,758 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.

More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Bucks County Museum in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

Bucks County Museum is an independent museum located in Aylesbury, which cares for 130,000 objects telling the story of the people and landscapes of Bucks from 200 million years ago to today. The funding will cover the costs of re-opening when allowed to do so by the government, recruitment of new teams, as well as digital and events consultants to help staff adapt museum programmes for schools and family visitors and encourage them to return safely to enjoy its wonderful collections and building again.

Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said: ‘Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.

‘Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.’

Sue Shave, Museum Director at Bucks County Museum said: ‘We are very grateful to the Arts Council and DCMS for this significant grant, which will make a huge different to the recovery of the Museum in these difficult times. This funding will allow us to provide access to our collections and programmes again and a safe environment for our visitors. People have been denied access to culture for many months now and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back.’  

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: ‘Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.

‘We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.

The funding today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.