More than 400 of the UK’s leading creative figures have called upon the government to do more to support the arts during and beyond the coronavirus lockdown.
PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Johnny Marr, Jeremy Deller, Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods,Imogen Heap, Grayson Perry and The Specials’ Terry Hall are amongst those who’ve signed the letter, which is addressed to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
"Our creative and cultural sector is in crisis," the letter, which is written by the Creative Industries Federation, says. "A Creative Industries Federation survey of 2,000 creative organisations and freelancers revealed that one in seven creative organisations believe they can last only until the end of April on existing financial reserves. Only half think their reserves will last beyond June.
"We cannot allow the UK to lose half of its creative businesses and become a cultural wasteland. The creative industries are one of the UK’s biggest success stories, previously growing at five times the rate of the wider economy."
It’s widely suspected that spaces such as clubs, bars, gig venues and concert halls will be amongst the last businesses to reopen when the UK’s lockdown measures are gradually relaxed.
Read the letter and the full list of signatories here.
