SALISBURY Museum has been awarded a grant of more than £29,000 from the Arts Council’s Emergency Response Fund.

The museum closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement Salisbury Museum said: “We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded a grant of £29,295 from the Arts Council’s Emergency Response Fund. These much needed funds will help to offset some of the significant financial losses the museum is suffering due to the Covid-19 crisis. The grant was only made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

“Like all heritage and cultural organisations the coronavirus outbreak has put an unbelievable strain on our finances. Salisbury Museum is an independent charitable trust so when we closed on 17 March we lost the bulk of our regular income. This comes from ticket sales, events, retail, café, educational visits and facility hire. Total closure until the beginning of July will incur an estimated loss of £43,000 (if compared with the same period in 2019).

“All indications suggest that tourism and visitor numbers in 2020 will not return to normal levels. If the museum is able to reopen income levels will not be the same as in previous years.The emergency grant will help us through the next few months – supporting us to make the changes to our business model that will be essential to ensure the museum remains sustainable.”

The museum has a JustGiving page click here.

Roche Court Educational Trust in East Winterslow received £33,426 from the fund. A statement on its website said: “We are delighted that the creative activities and resources that we have been developing and sharing online during the Covid-19 lockdown have been recognised for Emergency Funding by Arts Council England. This support will enable us to continue inspiring and engaging children and young people to Look, Think, and Speak about art whilst developing critical lifelong skills through public speaking, confidence building and new digital innovation.”

On Tuesday, the Arts Council announced that £64.8 million has been awarded to 7,484 individuals and 2,182 independent organisations through its Covid-19 emergency response package, thanks to the National Lottery and Government.

In addition to this, £4 million was distributed to a series of Benevolent Funds supporting cultural workers, including musicians, stage technicians and conservators. £90 million was also made available to support National Portfolio Organisations, with decisions on this funding currently underway.

Sir Nicholas Serota, the chair, Arts Council England, said: “This urgent financial support has provided a lifeline to the many creative individuals and organisations across England that make up our vibrant cultural sector, for whom Covid-19 has dealt a devastating blow.”