Emergency fund launched to support arts and community in Salford

The Lowry arts centre in Salford Quays has launched a new fund to help the organisation through the current Coronavirus crisis.

The Futures Fund aims to ensure the venue’s financial stability and enable it to continue to support the local communities it serves through its charitable activity.

It follows the closure of the venue’s doors to audiences, participants and artists for the first time since it opened in April 2000, 20 years ago.

Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “We use creative activity to support hundreds of the most vulnerable members of our community – including young carers, looked after children and young people living in temporary accommodation.

“In the immediate term, The Futures Fund will pay for freelance artists to create artistic activities for us to share with the young people we work with and more widely throughout our community.”

The Futures Fund is just one of the ways people can help keep the creative spirit of Salford alive. Others include:
• ‘Refuse the Refund’ – If you have a ticket for a cancelled performance, consider ‘donating’ the cost of that ticket to The Lowry
• Buy a Gift Voucher to redeem against a future performance
• Promote the fund with your friends and family using the hashtag #LowryFuturesFund

The Lowry building is currently closed until at least Sunday 26 April 2020. To donate to the fund visit www.thelowry.com/FuturesFund