Crucial rescue money for Brighton Dome, the De La Warr Pavilion and Hastings Contemporary

The money comes via a short-term emergency fund that was specifically designed to help those organisations that needed financial support to stay afloat until the end of September, because of the impact of Covid-19.

Brighton Dome & Festival Limited is to receive £445,000; the De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill £375,000; and Hastings Contemporary £67,013.

It is crucial funding for Brighton.

The additional funding will help protect Brighton Dome’s short-term survival over the summer months.

Following its closure in March 2020, 67 per cent of its self-generated income was lost through ticket sales and events. The organisation has a £12.5 million annual turnover but its 1,800 capacity venue is currently unable to re-open for live concerts or performances due to social-distancing regulations.

Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Dome, said: “We are enormously grateful to Arts Council England for this support which offers immediate financial security whilst our venue remains closed over the next few months.

“Our team are committed to ensuring the survival of this much-loved venue, as well as continuing our work with artists, local communities, children and young people. “The impacts of this crisis are set to continue beyond September and we welcome further government guidance on a longer-term strategy for live venues and events and how arts organisations will receive further support through their £1.57bn fund.

“Our sincere thanks also go to our loyal audiences who have given to our fundraising campaign or have donated their ticket purchases to us; the love for Brighton Dome & Brighton Festival has been both overwhelming and invaluable.”

To help secure Brighton Dome’s future text DOMELOVE to 70970 to donate £5 or visit brightondome.org/donate

Across England, a total of £33 million in the latest announcements has been awarded to 196 National Portfolio Organisations.

The awards are part of the Arts Council’s overall £160 million emergency response package, through which it has already awarded £69 million to nearly 10,000 individuals and independent organisations.