A Brighton and Hove museums trust is the latest organisation to be awarded funds from the UK Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund, as visitor experiences all over the country continue to struggle through COVID 19.
Up to now, 1395 cultural institutions have received urgent funding, with the government awarding Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust £990,000 to aid survival, combat challenges of the pandemic and secure Brighton museums future.
Using the funds, the Trust has been able to create a COVID-safe reopening programme, with the legendary Royal Palace, the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Museum & Art Gallery scheduled to reopen this weekend (October 17).
The money will also go towards providing safety measures which adhere to government guidelines. Resources such as online booking systems and track and trace will be created, along with staff PPE, one-way systems and enhanced cleaning operations within the museums.
The funds are also expected to protect the institutions from becoming a victim of the pandemic, as they work with reduced visitor numbers in place.
And it’s not just surviving through the pandemic the fund will help with. The Trust has also revealed plans to use the money to create marketing and promotion campaigns to attract regional visitors, as well as enhancing the museums digital presence on social media platforms and the websites.
A recent takeover
Royal Pavilion Museums Trust has taken over the management of Brighton and Hove museums from the council on October 1. Brighton and Hove County Council will continue to own the buildings.
Introductory video of Royal Pavilion & Brighton Museums Trust
Commenting on the fund, Michael Bedingfield, Chair of the Royal Pavilion & Museums Trust said: “This is wonderful news from Arts Council England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Culture Recovery Fund is crucial to the Royal Pavilion and Museums, to provide continuity of an amazing visitor experience with added certainly during this pandemic.
“With the news of our Culture Recovery Fund award, we will be able to continue planning exhibitions of this quality and enabling our cultural assets to continue to thrive in our city.”
Elsewhere, Art Fund has revealed its Museum of the Year winners.
