The Museum of Cornish Life and Bodmin Keep have in collaboration been awarded £56,306 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.

Both museum together are 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.

The funding will support the museums by directly covering salary costs, supporting digital projects/infrastructure and by helping us to share what we do and the stories of the objects in our collections.

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.”

Museum of Cornish Life Director, Annette MacTavish said:

“We are so very thankful to have received this significant funding grant from the Culture Recovery Fund. Mostly we are looking forward to still being able to welcoming visitors to the museum on weekdays from 10am-4pm, simply book your free slot online ahead of your visit.”

Bodmin Keep Army Museum Director Mary Godwin said:

“This funding continues our well-established working partnership with teh Museum of Cornish Life.  It will make a huge difference to our sustainability in these unprecedented times, helping us to improve digital access and build our profile with the community, as well as supporting vital core costs.“