Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre (MKCDC) receives lifeline grants from Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund and £750m support fund for charities.
445 organisations will share £103 million, including MKCDC to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on cherished heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector.
This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund - funded by Government and administered at arms length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans. The funds will save sites that are a source of pride for communities across the country.
MKCDC will use the funds to continue their valuable work as caretakers of Milton Keynes’ history, through their archives, education, and outreach projects. The money will also help ensure they can continue to host Covid 19 secure weddings and events in their beautiful, medieval grounds and buildings.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “As a nation it is essential that we preserve our heritage and celebrate and learn from our past. This massive support package will protect our shared heritage for future generations, save jobs and help us prepare for a cultural bounceback post covid.”
Duncan Wilson, Historic England’s Chief Executive said: “It is heartening to see grants, both large and small, from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund helping heritage sites and organisations across the country which have been hit hard by the effects of Covid-19. These grants range from giving skilled craft workers the chance to keep their trades alive to helping heritage organisations pay the bills, and to kick-starting repair works at our best-loved historic sites. The funding is an essential lifeline for our heritage and the people who work tirelessly to conserve it for us all, so that we can hand it on to future generations.”
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund adds: “It is absolutely right that investing in heritage should be a priority during this crisis and this support by Government is crucial. Heritage creates jobs and economic prosperity, is a major driver for tourism and makes our towns, cities, and rural areas better places to live. All of this is so important for our wellbeing and will be particularly vital when we start to emerge from this incredibly difficult time.
“Our heritage is still facing a perilous future – we are not out of the woods yet. But this hugely welcome funding from Government, and the money we continue to invest from the National Lottery, has undoubtedly stopped heritage and the organisations that care for it being permanently lost.”
MKCDC are also the recipients of £10 000 from the Coronavirus Community Support Fund. This was distributed by The National Lottery Community Fund and is part of the Government’s £750m support package for charities. It will be used to support the running of their community and sensory gardens, woodland walk and outdoor activities.
Noël James, Director and CEO of MKCDC says, “We’re incredibly grateful to both the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and The National Lottery Community Fund for these grants. Their support will help us grow and thrive despite the challenges of 2020. We’re delighted we can continue our work with the community; maintain our archive and library services; host events and provide education programmes in this new landscape.”
