The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced on Thursday that £1.6m of emergency funding has been awarded to artist studios across the capital who are struggling from the impact of the coronavirus.
The fund for creative work spaces, which includes an investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies, has benefitted 82 artist studios across 18 London boroughs, supporting more than 11,500 creatives.
Delivered by the Creative Land Trust, it is designed to help studios who are suffering the most from the near shut-down of the culture and creative industries.
Fine artists, dancers, ceramicists and musicians are among those to benefit, with 80 per cent of organisations receiving funding led by women, people from a BAME background, the LGBTQ+ community or people with disabilities.
The creative industries contribute £58 billion to London’s economy every year and provide one in six jobs in London, but City Hall research published this week warned that the impact of COVID-19 on the industries is set to cost the economy £16.3bn and put 151,000 jobs at risk, without support.
The Mayor created the £2.3m Culture at Risk Business Support Fund to support the industries most at risk. This includes £1.5m to support artists and creative businesses, £450,000 to support grassroots music venues, £225,000 to support LGBTQ+ venues and £150,000 to support independent cinemas.
He is also providing help and advice to venues and creatives through the Culture at Risk Office and the London Growth Hub, launched Pay It Forward London to help customers buy goods and services in advance, and lobbying Government to give the industries the support they need.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, “The devastating impact of COVID-19 means London’s unparalleled culture and creative industries need our support now, more than ever.
“These artists make a significant contribution to our economy and life in our capital, but they have seen their income diminished by the near total shutdown of their industries. I’m delighted that through our Fund we are helping to ensure that thousands of our talented artists still have a place to work, so that they can play their part in our city’s recovery.”
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