The Macbeth in Hoxton has become one of the first recipients of Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Live Music Fund.
The London venue successfully bid for a grant of £15,000 to support and develop its cultural programme.
The ACE fund – a ring-fenced fund of £1.5 million within the Arts Council’s National Lottery Project Grants for grassroots music venues and promoters – was launched in May 2019 at The Great Escape.
Mark Robinson of The Macbeth said: “The last 10 years have been incredibly challenging. We know that hundreds of venues across the country were forced out of business and we really struggled to get through very tough times. This turns a corner for us, with a grant that will enable us to support and develop our programme. Arts Council England funding really puts us on the map as not just a great night out, but also a culturally important space that really matters to artists and to audiences.
"We would like to thank ACE for the opportunity of this fund and to thank Music Venue Trust for all the support they have given us in the last few years. To all the other venues out there thinking about applying; if The Macbeth can do it, you can to."
A special funding area at Venues Day 2019 has been created where venues can book one-to-one appointments with ACE Relationship Managers and with other funders including PRS Foundation. Venues Day takes place at Islington Assembly Hall on Wednesday, October 9.
Claire Mera Nelson, head of music at ACE, said: “Arts Council England's Supporting Grassroots Live Music fund was created in response to the needs of small venues across the country just like the Macbeth, and we are delighted that they have been successful in obtaining a grant to support a developing and expanding programme. A team of Arts Council Relationship Managers from across England will be on hand at Venues Day to offer advice and guidance to Grassroots Music Venues. We are looking forward to ensuring venues of all kinds understand how to register and apply for our grant funding”
Mark Davyd of Music Venue Trust said: “This is another huge step in recognising the cultural value of our Grassroots Music Venues and we are so delighted it is the Macbeth that is leading the way. Mark and his team at the venue have been through every kind of challenge you can imagine, only recently having to engage again with our Emergency Response team for support on a Licensing Review. Their success demonstrates that this really is a fund Grassroots Music Venues can apply to and get support from. At Venues Day we want to make sure that every venue that wants to make an application has the skills and the opportunity to do so”.
Venue Delegates wanting to book a one-to-one meeting with ACE staff at Venues Day can contact MVT at info@musicvenuetrust.com.
