#HereForCulture DCMS x Arts Council Culture Recovery Fund Further Updates
CLASH and other organisations denied funding due to governance technicalities...
At the beginning of April we shared an update on our unsuccesful *Cuture Recovery Fund* Round Two bid, read more *HERE* on our first take. With over a third of applications unsuccesful, we have been inundated with other arts organisations contacting us to share their own experiences with the Culture Recovery Fund bid process.`
Hastily put together, the Culture Recovery Fund bid process generated a host of publicly documented issues for applicants due to a range of contradictory information provided and what many felt was a one size fits all approach taken. A vast underestimation by the *Department of Culture and Sport *on the need for state aid and an incredibly complex bid process administrated by an already inundated *Arts Council *team.
When trying to seek guidance from the *Arts Council* many businesses and independent practitioners were left with easily answered questions unfielded, or worse were totally unaware they could even apply. Vital organisations were then rejected whilst others who were already either demonstrably failing, rife with employment disputes, and in some instances entirely fabricated businesses were granted aid unfairly.
As if not already complex enough, at some point between Round One / Round Two of the bid process right in the middle of the pandemic there were fundamental guidance changes to the small print on how organisations should fill out the application. With the guidance for this governance change literally buried in their website, even Arts Council staff members were unclear on changes and unable to offer any signposting to their website nor support for anyone asking for clarification.
Due to the volume of submissions, the Arts Council were only able to provide one line responses to organisations 65 page bids. Adding insult to injury rejection letters and announcements for Round Two landed on (drum roll please) *April Fools Day, *albeit many had heard early due to a blundered internal email missent by a senior Arts Councilstaff member.
The rationale we were provided was a "*failure to sufficiently adapt to COVID-19”. *We contacted the Arts Council who refused to provide further information on this. Sensing something was amiss we then submitted a series of Freedom Of Information Act requests to DCMS and Arts Council.
CLASH like many others submitted our bid aligned to the existing guidance for round one. Contradictory to our rejection letter, CLASH was rejected due to submitting as a stand alone business rather than via our owner group. In short absolutely nothing to do with how we adapted to covid-19, but solely due to the change in guidance between round one and round two.
Had we submitted the same bid structured identically for round one CLASH would likely have been granted aid and been able to employ a host of creatives when they needed work the most. #HereForCulture? As we reported previously there is no formal appeals process, organisations and independent practioneres are therefore seemingly left no alternative but to escalate via legal proceedings.
We have now submitted a further series of Freedom Of Information requests and have requested further comment from the Arts Council and DCMS whilst we consider our next steps.
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*NTIA Statement:*
"The NTIA are eager, alongside hundreds of unsuccessful businesses, to understand the criteria with which some of these decisions have been made.
There is a huge amount of frustration within the sector, as many of the reasons for denial do not correlate with the applications, forcing many to question the criteria and assessment process.
With limited success for many NTE Businesses we have to consider who is representing the sector within DCMS and ACE, but looking at the Cultural Recovery Board we clearly have no representation from the sector, and it is broadly represented by the classic arts sector.
There are inconsistencies between different applications and their viability assessments which has led to funding being declined, with no recourse for appeal, this has left people deflated and let down."
*NTIA Feedback from Unsuccessful Applicants Included:*
* Businesses who have survived over 12 months of this pandemic have failed due to their adaptability, leaving many in disbelief given the hardships they have faced and the adaptations they have made to keep their businesses going.
* Some businesses were assessed as culturally significant in Round (1) CRF and have been deemed not significant enough in CRF Round (2)
*Artists agents/management receiving cultural recovery funding, where the artist, who is fundamental to the success of these businesses are being denied.
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*SUPPORT CLASH:*
You can *subscribe*, buy copies of CLASH Magazine and order our merchandise delivered safely to your door via our webstore; *www.theclashshop.com*.
You can also buy digital copies of CLASH Magazine via our new digital reader *here.*
We are planning to launch a new supporter scheme, more information to follow.
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*SEEKING HELP?*
There is no formal appeal process for Culture Recovery Fund decisions at present.
If you are an individual or organisation at risk you can however still seek support from the Arts Council and other independent charitable bodies.
You can seek advice by contacting the Arts Council for more information via: *enquiries@artscouncil.org.uk*
If you are struggling to deal with pressure there are other avenues you can turn to for help. Please contact the CLASH Team via socials @ClashMagazine or via email to *press@clashmusic.com.*
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*OTHER SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS*
Here are some other organisations that can provide immediate support;
*Mind*
*Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393*
*Mind.org.uk*
The Mind Info Line offers thousands of callers confidential help on a range of mental health issues. Mind helps people take control of their mental health. We do this by providing high-quality information and advice, and campaigning to promote and protect good mental health for everyone.
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*The Samaritans*
*Tel: 116 123*
*Samaritans*
Samaritans is availlable round the clock, every single day of the year. We provide a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them. Please call 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
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