The money will go towards supporting Cambridge Corn Exchange (£400,211), which has been closed since national lockdown was imposed in March, and Cambridge Folk Festival (£100,859), which could not take place in 2020, both part of the council’s cultural services.
Founded by Cambridge City Council, Cambridge Folk Festival is one of England's leading folk festivals and has brought many internationally famous names to Cambridge, at the same time as supporting new and developing artists.
Attending the festival is a much-loved tradition for many city residents, and this year was the first year that the festival has not taken place since its start in 1965.
Cambridge Corn Exchange is the largest event and touring venue in the east of England and serves audiences from right across the region.
With over 200,000 visits annually across a genre spanning programme, it is a vital part of the region's cultural life. These awards mean the services can plan for the future with certainty through to 31 March 2021.
Cllr Anna Smith, Executive Councillor for Communities, said: “I’m delighted that our bids have been successful, with the Arts Council recognising the importance of both the Corn Exchange and the Folk Festival.
“Cambridge City council takes our responsibility to arts and culture very seriously and I want to thank our officers who worked so hard over the summer to put these bids together.
“We will continue to do everything we can to keep the arts alive in Cambridge and I urge the government to consider extending these grants to the period beyond April, should it become necessary.”
The government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund was set up to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic on cultural services.
The council is one of 1,385 cultural and creative organisations across the country receiving urgently needed support. The Culture Recovery Fund grants programme is administered by Arts Council England.