UK Government announces Cultural Renewal Taskforce

The government today announced the launch of its new Cultural Renewal Taskforce that will help to get the country’s cultural and leisure sectors back in business. 

A number of prominent figures have joined the Taskforce to support the government in setting up blueprints for businesses, and to help get venues to reopen across the sector – which has been badly affected by the pandemic. 

The Secretary of State for Digital Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will work closely with the key members of the Taskforce which include Tamara Rojo (English National Ballet), Sir Nicholas Serota (Arts Council England Chair) and Mark Cornell (Ambassador Theatre Group), among other leading figures. 

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden speaking today about the launch of the Taskforce said: 

“We are determined to do all we can to help our sectors that are such an incredible part of British life in their recovery. The Taskforce is made up of some of the brightest and best from the cultural, sporting and tech worlds. Experts in their fields, they’ll be instrumental in identifying creative ways to get these sectors up and running again.”

With theatres shut, and performers from actors to ballet dancers being unable to return to work, the sector is facing unprecedented financial pressures in modern times. 

Members of the Taskforce will look closely at how the sector can be supported, whether that’s through new approaches, government support schemes and other policy implementations.

The first official meeting of the Taskforce will be held this Friday, 22nd May with industry leaders from sports, entertainment businesses, museums, libraries, heritage sites, theatres and more in attendance. 

To see the full list of Taskforce members see the government’s announcement from today.