Watts Gallery Trust has been awarded £421,980 from the Government's £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure it has a sustainable future.

Watts Gallery Trust is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country which will receive the support.

An investment package totalling £257m was announced today by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden as part of the first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants programme being administered by Arts Council England. Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks. Established in Compton at the end of the 19th century to provide 'Art for All', Watts Gallery and Artists' Village is the legacy of the great Victorian artist George Frederic Watts, and his wife, the artist and designer Mary Watts. The Wattses believed that art should be available to everyone, and that access to art and craft could improve people's lives. The Watts Gallery Trust now runs the gallery and the Arts and Crafts buildings that make up the artists' village. The buildings house an internationally important collection of paintings, sculpture, ceramics and works on paper. There are regular exhibitions and events, and a programme of workshops for socially excluded and vulnerable groups. In making his announcement in the House of Commons, Oliver Dowden said: "This funding is a vital boost for the theatres, music venues, museums and cultural organisations that form the soul of our nation. It will protect these special places, save jobs and help the culture sector's recovery." Alistair Burtenshaw, Director of Watts Gallery Trust, said: "I am extremely grateful to the Government for this vital support to aid our financial sustainability at this challenging time. "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, creative practitioners, volunteers and supporters alike for their commitment and tireless efforts in continuing to deliver our 'Art for All' programmes throughout the pandemic. "Our digital programmes have kept audiences entertained, and our community learning workshops were quickly adapted to make sure that those who need it most have still been able to reap the wide-reaching benefits of creativity and art. "Having implemented Government-recommended safety measures across our site, we have commenced a phased reopening of Watts since July. "It has been a joy to be able to welcome visitors, volunteers, programme participants and staff back in person or through our digital programmes, and I look forward to working with our community to further extend our 'Art for All' ethos at this difficult time for everyone."