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COVID-19 Creative, Cultural and Tourism Businesses

Information for Creative and Cultural Sectors

Arts Council England has a £160m emergency funding package. This includes:
  • Support for individuals
  • Support for National Portfolio Organisations
  • Support for organisations outside the National Portfolio structure
There are two tranches for applications, but you can only apply to one.  The first tranche opens on 9th April and the second tranche opens on April 16th.  The request is that applicants ask only for what they need, so that there are funds to support as many organisations and individuals as possible.
 
In order to access the application process you will need to create an account on Grantium, the Arts Council’s applications portal. ACE is also offering a more flexible approach to existing Project Grant holders and can negotiate different conditions for projects impacted by COVID-19.
 
Historic England have announced a Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund. Heritage organisations and individuals can apply for up to ££25,000 to address financial difficulties arising from Coronvairus. Grants of up to £50,000 are also available for projects and activities that reduce risks to heritage by providing information, resources and skills. The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 3 May 2020.
 
National Lottery Heritage Fund have announced a £50M Heritage Emergency Fund to provide short-term emergency funding to organisations delivering heritage projects (or running previously funded projects) and to safeguard heritage sites.  It can be accessed over the next 3 – 6 months to stabilise operations and manage unforeseen risks.  Grants are between £3,000 and £50,000 and decisions will be made as quickly as possible.  Applicants must be previously or presently funded by NLHF.  The National Lottery Heritage Fund Emergency Fund is now open.
NLHF are also accelerating their Digital Skills for Heritage initiative.  Please note that applications for new grants for project work have been suspended until at least October 2020.
 
A-N is a useful source of information about activities and initiatives which respond to the challenges of COVID-19, including artist bursaries (the Time Space Money programme has been brought forward – detail available soon).
The Crafts Council has various resources and is interested in hearing about the experiences of designer-makers/craft makers.
The Creative Industries Federation has a very useful index of sector-specific resources. 
The Association of Independent Museums has a regularly updated website with resources for museums, heritage organisations and galleries.
Curator Space is a useful source of information on opportunities for paid work which can be delivered via digital platforms. Likely to be very helpful for practitioners who have a reliance on income from delivering workshops.

Freelance artists may find the UK Covid-19 Freelance Artist Resources List a useful site.  Many resources have been brought together in one, easy-to-use place.

Help and Advice for Tourism and Hospitality Businesses

Coronavirus is a serious matter for the industry. Keep up to date and take guidance from regional and national tourism agencies.

Find the very latest information for tourism businesses from VisitBritain here.

Make sure you sign up to receive industry updates from VisitBritain and Welcome to Yorkshire (scroll right to the bottom of the home page)

Stay connected and keep everyone informed about what you’re doing

  • Regional Tourism Agency, Welcome to Yorkshire are monitoring the situation closely, so please do complete their Covid-19 Business Survey and let them know how the situation is affecting your business. This is particularly important as it means they can inform VisitBritain and DCMS and continue to feed tourism concerns to Government.
  • Regularly update your website. Let people know your current situation and create fresh, inspirational content. People may not want to come right now - but they will again at some point in the near future!
  • Keep communications going with your loyal customers. Keep them updated but focus on the positive.
  • Join the conversation. As well as following Selby District council’s social media channels, make sure you follow channels for Welcome to Yorkshire, Visit York and Visit England.
  • Share your ideas and best practice via your digital channels and tag fellow businesses and tourism contacts.
  • Connect with local businesses and see if there are ways for you to work together. Can you collaborate to add value and incentivise future bookings?
  • Follow #YorkshireTogether. Let Welcome to Yorkshire know what you’re doing differently and how you’re adapting your business by emailing: info@yorkshire.com and Upload your Press Releases regularly to let them know your latest news and what you're up to.

We remain committed to the delivery of the Selby District Visitor Economy Strategy and developing our district’s product, services and experiences. We will be continuing with the schedule of activity planned for the coming year, including the development of promotional material, trails and visitor information points and with the creation of the Visitor Economy Advisory Board.

If you are a tourism business and would like to discuss any of this in further detail, please get in touch with Jennie Lowthian, Tourism Development Officer at jlowthian@selby.gov.uk.