Opera North has been given £500,000 to help create a 'world class' performing arts centre in the heart of Leeds.
The opera company started Music Works - its £18 million project to upgrade its home next to Leeds Grand Theatre - in the summer of 2019.
The Howard Opera Centre, on New Briggate and Harrison Street, will contain rehearsal studios, costume and wigs workshop, and administrative offices and is set for completion in 2021.
But the coronavirus pandemic has meant work has hit a snag, with funding harder to come by.
The Capital Kickstart award of £500,000 from Arts Council England, as part of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, takes the company £1.5 million shy of its £18 million target.
Richard Mantle, General Director, Opera North, explained: “This vital support from Arts Council England will help us to mitigate some of the impacts of the Covid pandemic on the major redevelopment of our home in Leeds.
"The first lockdown meant that we had to halt work for six weeks and, with social distancing in place, the construction company has still not been able to return to full capacity.
"However, the first phase is now due to be ready by Spring 2021, with final completion planned for the summer."
The bulk of funding (£11.25m) )has come from the President of Opera North, Dr Keith Howard, whose name the new centre will bear.
Another £750,000 was donated by Leeds City Council and the Arts Council of England previously gave the company a £500,000 grant. The rest has come from private individuals ad trusts.
