The Courtyard Hereford has received vital support from Arts Council England (ACE) in response to its closure caused by the Covid-19 crisis. The registered arts charity has received £80,000 from the Emergency Response Fund, part of ACE’s allocation for National Portfolio Organisations announced today (7 July 2020).

This additional funding will help protect The Courtyard’s short-term survival until September 2020. Following its closure in March 2020, 94% of its self-generated income was lost through ticket sales, events and Café Bar income, as well as facing thousands of refunds.

The community venue is currently unable to re-open for live performances due to social distancing regulations.

Ian Archer, Chief Executive and Artistic Director, said: “Covid-19 is having a devastating effect on arts and culture throughout the country and The Courtyard plays an incredibly important part of the social fabric and cultural life of Herefordshire.

"Throughout this pandemic, we have seen the need and value of arts and culture in our daily lives and we are absolutely delighted that this grant from Arts Council England will help to sustain The Courtyard into the future, until we can return to our beloved venue.”

Announced in March 2020, the Arts Council’s £160 million Emergency Response Package is designed to help alleviate the immediate pressures faced by artists, creative practitioners, arts organisations, museums, and libraries over the summer – supporting them as they continue to serve their communities during this crisis and affording them the time to stabilise and plan for the future.

On 5 July 2020, the government announced an unprecedented one-off £1.57bn support package for arts and culture in addition to Arts Council England’s immediate emergency measures. This package recognises the need for further support for the whole sector until physical distancing measures no longer apply.