Ipswich’s Regent Theatre and the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket are among arts venues and groups to benefit from £2.2million of government funding to help overcome the Covid-19 crisis.

East Anglian Daily Times: DanceEast in Ipswich has also benefitted from grants from the government Picture: MATT STOTTDanceEast in Ipswich has also benefitted from grants from the government Picture: MATT STOTT (Image: Archant)

Seventeen organisations across the county have been awarded at least £50,000 as part of the Culture Recovery Fund, set up by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Among those to benefit include Ipswich’s Regent Theatre, which received £488,265, as well as the East Anglia Transport Museum and FolkEast, which received £50,000 and £80,072 respectively.

Other organisations receiving high amounts include the Marina Theatre Trust, which has been awarded £309,922 and Nicholas Garrod, which will benefit from £250,000.

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East Anglian Daily Times: Ipswich councillor Sarah Barber said the government funds will help cover costs Picture: ANDREW HIRSTIpswich councillor Sarah Barber said the government funds will help cover costs Picture: ANDREW HIRST (Image: Archant)

It is the second round of cash from the Culture Recovery Fund announced this week, with organisations like the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds and Colchester and Ipswich Museums benefiting from a £3.8million government lifeline for Suffolk.

More than 560 cultural and creative organisations nationwide have now benefitted from the fund, which has so far seen £1.57billion awarded in a bid to help theatres, galleries, museums, venues and performance groups survive the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sarah Barber, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for the town centre, said the funds will help cover the costs so far caused by the Regent Theatre’s closure.

She added: “We are pleased to be offered this grant which will help cover the costs of the Regent Theatre while it’s closed.

“We look forward to being able to reopen and once again bring joy and entertainment to customers from Ipswich and beyond. The Regent Theatre is well-loved by the town, Suffolk and beyond and it has an excellent reputation for providing a quality night-out for all.”

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Culture secretary Oliver Dowden said the “vital” funding shows the government is building on its commitment to supporting culture nationwide.

Mr Dowden said: “This is more vital funding to protect cultural gems across the country, save jobs and prepare the arts to bounce back.

“Through Arts Council England we are delivering the biggest ever investment in the arts in record time. Hundreds of millions of pounds are already making their way to thousands of organisations.

“These awards build on our commitment to be here for culture in every part of the country.”