Catalyst receives lifeline grant from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund

Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum has been awarded £162,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future, the Culture Secretary has announced today.

Catalyst is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. £257 million of investment has been announced today as part of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.

Catalyst is the only science centre and museum in the UK dedicated to the science and technology behind the chemicals industry and its impact on our lives – past and present. Through a range of interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops, entertaining science shows and historical archives Catalyst has been inspiring and educating people of all ages for over 30 years. The grant from the Culture Recovery Fund will help Catalyst re-open following the challenges of Covid -19 and will ensure a sustainable future for a long-established local resource.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said:

“This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector’s recovery.

“These places and projects are cultural beacons the length and breadth of the country. This unprecedented investment in the arts is proof this government is here for culture, with further support to come in the days and weeks ahead so that the culture sector can bounce back strongly.”

Chair, Arts Council England, Sir Nicholas Serota, said:

“Theatres, museums, galleries, dance companies and music venues bring joy to people and life to our cities, towns and villages. This life-changing funding will save thousands of cultural spaces loved by local communities and international audiences. Further funding is still to be announced and we are working hard to support our sector during these challenging times.”

Catalyst CEO Martin Pearson, said:

We are delighted to receive this award from the Arts Council as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF).  As all heritage organisations are acutely aware, these are unprecedented times and have put the future viability of our sector in stark focus.  This award, along with other support, will allow us to plan a future during the next phase of the pandemic whilst securing jobs locally and providing an invaluable support to our local community.  We are planning to re-open the end of October 2020 with renewed confidence, despite our acknowledgement that visitor numbers will be much lower for the foreseeable future.  Our heritage offer has been protected.