We’re delighted to announce that Zest Theatre has been awarded £25,000 as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help us face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure we continue to meet the needs of young people.

VIDEO from Never Was a Normal → choreography by Pierre Lafayette - Marsh — VIDEO from *Never Was a Normal* → choreography by Pierre Lafayette - Marsh

Zest joins thousands of creative organisations from across the country in receiving more than £300 million of urgently needed support through this second round of the Culture Recovery Fund. This programme is funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and is administered by Arts Council England.

Zest is a national touring theatre company, creating transformative, high-quality theatre experiences for young people. Through partnerships with venues and local authorities, our work is rooted in the communities we serve: investing time and energy in groups and individuals to share the story of young people on the national stage.

We’re proudly based in Lincoln, producing national touring work across schools, outdoor festivals, digital platforms, and traditional theatre venues.

Receiving this funding means that Zest will be able to survive the effects of the pandemic on our industry, and develop further to meet the increasing needs of young people and the changing cultural landscape. In addition to supporting our core costs, this funding will support the Research and Development of a new production and continue Zest’s financial and developmental commitment to antiracism and accessibility.

Zest’s Artistic Director Toby Ealden and Producer Catherine Fowles said:
“We are delighted to be awarded this grant to continue the important work that Zest does with young people across the UK. Young People are facing a mental health crisis, we’ve therefore responded to the challenges of the pandemic by maximising their involvement across our whole organisation: from the delivery of community-facing projects to the organisational development of the company. We’re grateful that the cultural significance of Zest's work has been recognised today, allowing us to continue our commitment to antiracism and accessibility, whilst serving the needs of communities, both at home and across the country.”

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said:
“Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

Culture Secretary, Oliver Dowden, said:
“Our record-breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced. Now we’re staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors - helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead."