Sir Sam Mendes spearheads theatre fund backed by Steven Spielberg
The fund has been established with a £500,000 donation from Netflix and counts Steven Spielberg among its supporters.
Sir Sam Mendes is spearheading a fund to help people working in the theatre industry in need of emergency financial support.
The fund established with a £500,000 donation from Netflix counts Steven Spielberg among its supporters.
Sir Sam said: “Thousands of theatre professionals in the UK are struggling. Many of them haven’t been able to get help from the existing Government schemes, and the situation continues to worsen. They need help now.”
The fund is “specifically designed for theatre workers who find themselves at breaking point, for those unable to put food on the table or to pay bills, or for those considering leaving the profession altogether”.
It offers grants up to £1,000 per applicant and is designed to support freelance artists who have been ineligible for Government aid.
It comes as the Government announced a £1.57 billion support package to “protect” the future of Britain’s arts.
Sir Sam said: “I am well aware that this is a drop in the ocean in terms of what is required for a full recovery, but I hope it might ensure some form of survival until the theatres can reopen again.”
The multiple award winner called for funding from individual donors and organisations, saying: “Please do consider a donation. I promise it will make a difference.”
Information is at https://theatreartists.fund and donations can be made at https://theatreinvestmentfund.enthuse.com/cf/theatre-artists-fund
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