Dozens of cultural organisations across Liverpool are to be supported with millions of pounds of council funds for another year.
More than £2.7m is being made available by Liverpool Council to 27 organisations across the city as part of its Culture and Arts Investment Programme (CAIP) after authority leaders signed off on the proposals.
The funding, which will come through the city’s core Culture Liverpool budget, will allow the sector to remain supported and play a role in Liverpool’s post-Brexit and pandemic recovery.
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CAIP is the successor to programmes to support the legacy of the European Capital of Culture in 2008 and provides backing to organisations including theatre, music, festivals, visual arts, and community programmes that are broadly representative of, and engage with Liverpool’s diverse communities.
According to a report to cabinet members, the culture sector brought in almost £30m to Liverpool in 2019/20 and has “contributed enormously to the ongoing regeneration of the city.”
It is expected that in 2021/22, the generated income is to pass £30.5m indicative of a return to normal.
The report added: “However, the resilience of CAIP organisations is now being severely tested.
“Years of continued growth have been curtailed with a difficult financial climate and a decade of reductions in public sector funding has left the sector vulnerable to any further funding reductions.”
Among the projects to receive funding are Africa Oyé, DaDa Disability & Deaf Arts, Homotopia, Royal Court Theatre, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and the Bluecoat.
Moving the report to colleagues, Cllr Harry Doyle, Liverpool Council cabinet member for culture and visitor economy, said the sector supported more than 3,000 jobs in the city and the investment would “ensure organisations came out of the pandemic stronger.”
He added: “We continue to value culture and support cultural organisations in the city.
“We value our identity in the city, what is Liverpool without culture?
“Culture is investment in jobs, growth and livelihoods.”
The CAIP funding has been extended by an additional year beyond its initial three-year time frame.
The majority of the funding - £1.1m - will go towards supporting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
Michael Eakin, chief executive, said: “Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is enormously grateful for the continued long term support and commitment shown by Liverpool City Council with its funding of culture.
“This support will help us to reach over 350,000 people with our concerts, over 70,000 young people making music in our learning programme and youth activity, and literally millions around the world through our recordings.
“We are proud to both serve and represent our city in our work, and we can only do it with this investment and support from Liverpool Council.”
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