Yorkshire arts groups get government coronavirus grants

Arts groups and venues across Yorkshire have received government funding to cope with the impact of the pandemic.

Harewood House stately home in Leeds received almost £700,000 and Sheffield music venue Corporation got £398,400.

In a social media post the club said it was "chuffed to bits" to receive the grant from the Cultural Recovery Fund.

The money is part of £1.57bn government handout designed to help arts organisations survive losses caused by the outbreak.

In East Yorkshire, the East Riding Theatre in Beverley was awarded £72,522.

Theatre manager Sue Kirkman said: "We are over the moon with this announcement and can't wait to get cracking.

"We can't thank the government and Arts Council England enough for much-needed support of our precious theatre."

Other recipients of funding include the Black Dyke brass band in Bradford, which was awarded £76,080, and the Tomorrow's Ghosts gothic and alternative festival in Whitby was given £55,000.

The Whitby event, first held in 2018, features bands from the goth and alternative music scene as well as film, art and theatre, and is inspired by the town's association with Bram Stoker's gothic novel Dracula.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: "This is more vital funding to protect cultural gems across the country, save jobs and prepare the arts to bounce back."

Clarification 19 October 2020: This article was updated to clarify the Whitby group which received funding.

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