Research & Data
Covid Recovery Programme for Arts Organisations (CRPAO) Evaluation
February, 2023
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland today (8th February 2023) published a survey-based evaluation of the impact of its Covid Recovery Programme for Arts Organisations, co-designed with the Department for Communities to help the creative sector re-establish itself following the relaxation of coronavirus pandemic restrictions in 2021.
The main aim of the Covid Recovery Programme for Arts Organisations, which opened in January 2022, was to reduce operating deficits in eligible organisations which had arisen in the 2021/22 financial year due to the pandemic.
The main aim of the Covid Recovery Programme for Arts Organisations, which opened in January 2022, was to reduce operating deficits in eligible organisations which had arisen in the 2021/22 financial year due to the pandemic.
Key findings:
- 39 organisations received £1.734 million in funding.
- Grants ranged from £3,535 to £273,308.
- 9 of the organisations surveyed reported having lost more than 50% of their earned income as a result of the lockdown.
- 20 of the organisations surveyed said they would have been unable to remove their financial deficit without their grant.
- The grant enabled arts organisations to restart providing services, including: reaching new audiences (18), supporting artists (15) and working with communities (14).