Catalyst to receive funding from second round of Culture Recovery Fund
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum to receive £79,550 from second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund
- Catalyst among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards from the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund
- This award will ensure the future viability of Catalyst and the protection of its Heritage Offer, Archive and its workforce
Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum in Widnes has received a grant of £79,550 from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen after being closed for almost 12 months..
More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including Catalyst in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.
As an independent charitable trust, 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, present and future. Based in a Grade II listed building in Widnes, where the chemical industry flourished for over 170 years, Catalyst holds a unique position as a museum, a national industrial archive and an educational resource. Throughout the pandemic Catalyst has been collaborating with MindHalton on an award-winning programme providing vital mental health support to local people. This award will ensure the future viability of Catalyst and will allow us to continue our MindLab programme for the community.
Over £800 million in grants and loans has already been awarded to support almost 3,800 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations dealing with the immediate challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.
Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:
“Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they’ve ever faced.
Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”
Martin Pearson, Catalyst CEO said:
“This latest support from the Culture Recovery Fund is a timely shot in the arm for the future viability of Catalyst and the protection of its workforce. It will allow us to continue working with our local community and particularly our award-winning collaboration with Mind, Halton supporting those who are suffering with their mental health following a very difficult year for everyone.
It will also allow us to continue to preserve our heritage and make our archive available to not only our local community but to those who wish to connect to our historical past from further afield.”
Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:
“Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work.
We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”
The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute.
