A PARTNERSHIP that aims to improve lives through arts and culture will use a cash injection to keep going over the next six months.

Sunderland Culture has been awarded £341,777 from the Culture Recovery Fund.

Established in 2016, Sunderland Culture delivers programmes in Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Arts Centre Washington, National Glass Centre, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and the Fire Station, supports creative industries in the city and delivers city-wide cultural events and community projects.

It aims to improve life for everyone in Sunderland through culture and is founded through a partnership between University of Sunderland, Sunderland City Council and the Sunderland Music, Arts and Culture Trust.

The grant will enable Sunderland Culture to continue its work to strengthen the city’s cultural economy, increase cultural participation and ensure culture plays a key role in the city’s recovery from the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Sunderland Culture chief executive Keith Merrin, said: “The grant will provide Sunderland Culture with support over the next six months, to mitigate some of the financial losses we have incurred due to the impact of Covid-19 and continue delivering a cultural programme at National Glass Centre, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Arts Centre Washington and with communities in Sunderland – in a socially distanced or digital format.

"The challenge faced by cultural organisations, artists and creative businesses in the wake of Covid-19 is unprecedented, and we are grateful to DCMS and Arts Council England for providing this vital support at a critical point.”