Emergency culture committee launched amid fears for attractions
An emergency committee featuring leading culture bodies has been set up to try and ensure the survival and recovery of museums, theatres and other major attractions in the West Midlands.
The West Midlands Culture Response Unit will aim to lead the response to the coronavirus outbreak, which has had a hugely damaging impact on the culture sector.
Museums, theatres and galleries have all seen income collapse as a result of the lockdown and there are fears about job losses and even the survival of some attractions.
The unit is backed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Arts Council England (ACE), the West Midlands Combined Authority, and local authorities in the region.
It will focus on strategy, planning and campaigns in an effort to help attractions recover.
Black Country Living Museum chief executive Andrew Lovett told the Express & Star last week he could face "tough decisions” amid fears visitors will stay away even when the coronavirus lockdown is lifted. He said he believed some museums could be left struggling to survive.
Erica Love, director of Culture Central, which is leading the response unit, said: “As a cultural sector support organisation, we felt it was important to bring the sector together and lead a collective response, pool resources in a time of extreme challenge and work to ensure our cultural sector is heard, recognised and supported.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “The West Midlands Combined Authority’s Cultural Leadership Board is made up of people from all backgrounds and representatives from cultural organisations to help drive forward the West Midlands’ vibrant cultural and creative economy.
“Right now, the board is needed more than ever and will work with the West Midlands Cultural Response Unit to help the sector prepare for its short, medium, and long-term future when the ongoing pandemic begins to subside.”
