In what has been hailed as a “positive step forward” venues in the UK that put on dance music events will be eligible to apply for grants under the Culture Recovery Fund being administered by the Arts Council England.

Mixmag revealed that any cultural organisation that was financially stable before the Covid-19 pandemic is eligible for the relief, with the dance music venue and events industry included in this round of funding, having been excluded from previous support.

The news provider noted that the £2.25 million fund providing emergency grants to venues earlier in the pandemic only covered nightclubs if they offered “a significant live music programme”.

Under the Arts Council England scheme, venues can apply for grants of a minimum of £500,000 and a maximum of £3 million, with the total value of the fund £500 million.

CEO of the Night Time Industries Association Michael Kill told the publication that the industry is “extremely pleased” that electronic music and many sub genres have been recognised and included as eligible for support.

While he said it was a positive move, he also added a note of caution. “We must maintain pressure on [the] government to gain clarity on the roadmap for businesses that are still unable to open, and fight for further support to ensure they survive this crisis,” Mr Kill asserted.

Applications for the first round of grants will open with Arts Council England on 10 August, with the organisation revealing that approximately 75 per cent of the budget is expected to be allocated in this stage. The first round will remain open for applications until 21 August.

The second round will then begin on 21 August and close on 4 September 2020.

If you’re looking for support with dance music promotion, contact us today to find out how we can help.