The county council has been awarded more than £70,000 as part of the government's £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help the heritage sector face the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The council says the £71,500 grant will be used to further develop the education programme at its five heritage and museum sites as it looks at new and sustainable ways of telling the many stories surrounding the county’s rich history.
The award-winning programme, which delivers tailored learning at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, the 1620s House & Garden at Donington le Heath, Charnwood Museum, Harborough Museum and Melton Carnegie Museum, is among the 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country to receive grant support.
As part of the first round of the CRF grants initiative being administered by Arts Council England, around £257 million of investment has been announced.
The education programme provided by the five sites has already been praised for its high quality. It holds the prestigious Sandford Award for the schools programme at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, as well as Learning Outside the Classroom accreditation for Bosworth and the 1620s House & Garden.
Councillor Richard Blunt, cabinet member for heritage, leisure and arts, said said he was delighted to have secured the grant.
This invaluable funding will enable our heritage and museum sites to make any changes needed to ensure that we continue to meet the needs of schools and targeted groups and that it's sustainable too.
Our five heritage and museum sites tell a host of inspiring stories which have captivated the attention of visitors of all ages for many years, but Covid-19 has changed the way all our visitors, including schools, can access these amazing stories.
This funding will allow us to think about how we work differently, on site and, in the digital world, ensuring that children and young people have the opportunity to immerse themselves in these special places and engage with the objects that have shaped our wonderful county.
Person:Richard Blunt, county council cabinet member for heritage, leisure and artsAnnouncing the awards, 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."
Sir Nicholas Serota, chair of Arts Council England, 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.”