Corby's Deep Roots Tall Trees' Culture Recovery Fund grant boost

A Corby arts provider has been awarded a share of the £400 million Government grant as part of a vital financial boost from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund.

The Deep Roots Tall Trees cultural programme brings music, singing, dance and artistic activities to the people of Corby and the surrounding areas.

To help them carry on providing their cultural programme the group has been awarded £36,345 to run additional skill-building sessions for the choir and dance theatre.

The group will also focus on ‘Corby Future Voices’ and ‘Beyond Corby’ working with disadvantaged young people, and cover staffing and PPE equipment costs.

Neil Paris, artistic director for Deep Roots Tall Trees, said: “This is absolutely fantastic news for Deep Roots Tall Trees.

"These are still uncertain times and this award is a real lifeline to the organisation. It means we can prepare and resource ourselves for both the immediate and longer-term future.

"It gives us a realistic chance to deliver on our commitments, adapt in order to maintain our regular activities and re-start those that have been on hold. Now we can exhale and dare to look ahead to 2022 and celebrating our 10-year anniversary.”

The group performs in spaces including the football stadium, theatres and art galleries, as well as in Corby’s urban woodlands and brings together local people with professional artists.

They have worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Sinfonia Viva and performed for The Queen.

Funding of £2,168,135 has today been awarded through the Arts Council to support 31 organisations in Northampton/shire as part of today’s announcement of further funding through the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund – supporting theatres, galleries, museums, performance groups, arts organisations and local venues facing the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and ensuring they have a sustainable future.

Receiving funds are 78 Derngate (£43,000); KDR Events (£144,000) owners of the Picturedrome and The Old White Hart Inn; Royal & Derngate (£435,234), The Boston (£136,489) Northampton’s main LGBTQ+ venue; and Threshold Studios (£37,184).

More than 2,700 cultural and creative organisations are to receive a share of £400 million as part of a vital financial boost from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund - awarded through Arts Council England, Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.

Secretary of State for Culture, 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."

Peter Knott, area director for Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund has supported a wide range of arts and cultural sector organisations across Northampton/shire – from theatres and LGBTQ+ music and comedy venues to digital festivals and museums celebrating local history.

“The Government’s package is hugely welcome, providing much of the sector with resources to reopen safely.

"Building upon investment made in the first round of Recovery funding, we’re pleased to see that many more well-loved community projects, theatres, galleries, museums, clubs, music venues, festivals, key cultural suppliers along with other creative spaces and projects have benefited, and their communities will feel a boost as a result.

"Now that we’re on the road to recovery, there is much to look forward to as organisations get ready to reopen their doors, welcoming back audiences and making plans for the future.”