The Creative Industries Federation has authored a letter to the government asking funds to be released to support the cultural sector amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Singed by over 400 of the country’s foremost cultural figures, including Simon Callow, Johnny Marr and PJ Harvey, the letter warns that unless more substantial measures are taken, the UK is at risk of becoming a “a cultural wasteland”.
Addressed specifically to the chancellor and the culture secretary, the CIF request urgent funding for organisations they believe are “falling through the gaps of existing government support measures”.
The CIF’s CEO, Caroline Norbury, said that: “While government support measures for businesses and the self-employed are welcome, we know that there are still thousands of creative organisations and freelancers who are falling through the gaps, and who simply will not get through this crisis without urgent cash support.”
According to the letter, one in seven creative organisations believe they will run out of funds by the end of April, and half have money that can support them after June.
The letter concludes: “We must act, and act fast.”
One of the letter’s signatories, Rufus Wainwright, said that: “Artists are creating so much content online that people can experience in their homes. They have not stopped producing and it would be a crime as a society to not support them through this crisis as they are nourishing us.”
He noted that countries such as Germany are instigating federal support packages for artists, offering a sum of €5,000 for freelancers in an attempt to support the arts.
The letter follows chancellor Rishi Sunak facing criticism for his furlough scheme which has left up to 50,000 production workers ineligible for financial support.
The Arts Council England, have taken steps to support the creative industry, announcing a £160 million emergency response package last month, which provides individual artists with grants up to £2,500 and includes a dedicated £90 million for national portfolio organisations.
