Down for the Count recognised with a Culture Recovery Grant
We're delighted to announce that Down for the Count have received funding from Arts Council England as part of the Cultural Recovery Fund - to make sure that we are Here For Culture now and in the future.
These grants use funds from HM Treasury to support arts venues and organisations, to ensure that the arts sector bounces back strongly from the COVID-19 pandemic - which has been incredibly challenging for all those who love the arts.
This is the first time that Down for the Count have received public money, and we appreciate that with it comes great responsibility. We'll be working hard to make sure that we use the funding not only to support the self-employed musicians and creatives we work with, and the venues we perform at, but also to engage with a wider and more diverse audience and to develop new collaborations.
Company director Mike Paul-Smith said: "we are delighted to be awarded a Cultural Recovery Grant from Arts Council England and are enormously grateful to receive the grant, which we will be using to support the freelance musicians and creatives we work with. The Cultural Recovery Grant represents a solid first step in rebuilding the arts sector, which has been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we look forward to future government announcements regarding further support for the arts, in particular the ways in which they plan to support the individual performers who make the UK's arts scene one of the most vibrant in the world."
"By being awarded this grant, Down for the Count have been recognised as an "organisation of cultural significance" - which we find incredibly humbling. However, we feel it's vital to recognise that the true cultural significance is that of the Black American music we predominantly perform, and moving forward we commit to use our platform to preserve and promote this heritage even more than we have in the past, so that everyone who enjoys our music can engage with its history."
About the author
Mike Paul-Smith has over 18 years experience in delivering bespoke live music and entertainment packages for wedding receptions and corporate events across London, the UK and internationally.
He is the company director, pianist and musical director of Down for the Count.
