COVID recovery support for The Point and The Berry Theatre
Borough's flagship cultural venues win £193k in funding
The Point Eastleigh and its sister venue The Berry Theatre in Hedge End, which are owned and operated by the Council, have secured an allocation of £193,000 in the awards from Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund.
This significant cash injection by the Department of Media Culture and Sport (DMCS) is a vital investment in the future of both theatres and a vote of confidence in the Borough’s long-term commitment to reach even more people within their communities, forge new links with partners and to build for the future, including a more inclusive online presence.
The funding will also be used to assist with overhead costs and the purchase of essential equipment whilst The Point and The Berry Theatre, venues which normally schedule a packed programme of varied events, begin to reopen and offer a programme to audiences.
The Point took the first steps towards reopening in September 2020 with the Safe and Social relaunch of its Café Bar.
Eastleigh Borough Council Cabinet Member for Social Policy, Councillor Tina Campbell, said: “The UK theatre industry has led the world due to investment from local councils, as well as from national arts councils. It is a hugely important sector in the UK economy.
“Eastleigh Borough Council is proud to support two theatres, recognising the significant impact that culture has on the health and wellbeing of its residents and visitors and vital role in creating an attractive, prosperous place to live and work in.”
Artistic Director of The Point, Sacha Lee, said: “This support from the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund is an absolute game changer for The Point and The Berry Theatre. Not only does it help us bring our audiences, participants and stakeholders safely back into our buildings, it secures the long-term arts ecology in the region.
“We will seize the opportunity to develop some of the new work we started in lockdown and embark on some new approaches to be able to work with more artists to reach more people – this is a time for change, and we’re ready for it.
“The Point has been in existence for 24 years, impacting on thousands of audience member, participants and fuelling the next generation of artists. The legacy can continue, and onwards we go.”