Culture lifeline to Harewood

This latest fund of £695,556 was assigned to museums and arts organisations in the area, delivered by Arts Council England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

During the pandemic lock-down, Harewood was forced to close its doors to visitors for 14-weeks of its nine-month open season, resulting in an estimated loss of over 80,000 visitors and about £1.2 million in losses by year end.

Jane Marriott, Trust Director said: “Harewood House Trust is an independent charity which is so heavily reliant on the income we receive from our visitors and much-loved Members.

“This income helps us to protect, share and celebrate this wonderful House and grounds which is such an integral part of Yorkshire.

“Like many of our colleagues, Harewood’s total closure earlier in the year placed us in such a difficult financial situation, facing over £1million in losses. “However, the combination of our visitors’ support and a significant grant from the Culture Recovery Fund has secured Harewood’s future recovery, so that we can continue to do ambitious programming, and to make certain that this wonderful place can continue to be enjoyed by as many as possible.”

She added: “The national funding bodies’ confidence in Harewood’s work is very much needed and appreciated.

“We are now in a position to improve the site, develop our learning programme, continue to work with artists and maintain our ambitious visitor experience, looking once again to our future.”

The grant was the latest in a line of fundraising initiatives supporting the charity through the pandemic; last week Harewood was awarded £296,128 by Historic England and DCMS as part of their Programmes of Major Works grants, funding the vital restoration of Harewood’s Terrace Balustrade.

In addition, earlier in the year, Harewood was awarded an emergency National Heritage Lottery Fund to support safe re-opening, taking the funding to over £1m.

This latest investment of £695,556 from the Cultural Recovery Fund will support:

• A new programme of learning activities throughout its Christmas season and with the return of the Harewood Biennial in 2021;

• A year-round series of outdoor, family-friendly events;

• Major investment in Harewood’s technology infrastructure, enabling it to become more agile and adaptable to today’s needs;

• A brand-new canopy for Harewood’s Courtyard and other outdoor spaces providing safe outdoor, socially distanced seating, cover for shopping events, plus weddings and private hire, generating vital financial support to the Charity.

The news comes as Harewood prepares to install Upon a Christmas Wish created with Lord Whitney.