In response to Covid-19 and the first lockdown in Denmark, the New Carlsberg Foundation last year handed out DKK 30 million to Danish art museums in an extraordinary measure in addition to the existing grant schemes. As Danish art venues continue to struggle financially after another, lengthy lockdown, the board of the New Carlsberg Foundation has decided to establish a new fund of up to DKK 50 million. The fund is earmarked for grants that help to mitigate the economic consequences of Covid-19 with a view to realizing or modifying public and exhibition activities.
‘In line with the Danish model, where our art venues are supported by the state, municipalities and private foundations together, we have decided to establish a new restart fund. The government’s lockdown aid packages and, most recently, the summer aid package of DKK 315 million for culture and sports play a crucial role. However, there is no escaping the fact that the art venues continue to face an extended period of uncertainty. The decline in tourism alone has a profound economic impact for many. Our fund aims to help art venues adapt to this new reality,’ says Christine Buhl Andersen, chairwoman of the New Carlsberg Foundation.
Art museums, art halls and non-commercial exhibition venues
Compared to last year’s Restart Fund, the New Carlsberg Foundation’s Restart Fund 2 has been expanded in scope to include art halls and other non-commercial art venues in addition to art museums.
‘The Danish art scene is like an interconnected ecosystem. For example, when the smaller venues that promote new talent are hit hard, the rest of the art scene also suffers; if not right away, then in the longer term. At the New Carlsberg Foundation, we aim to preserve and stimulate the high degree of diversity and the world-class level that characterize Danish art. For that reason, the fund includes both big and small venues,’ Christine Buhl Andersen explains.
Flexible fund
Restart Fund 2 is not subject to the same conditions as the foundation’s other grants but will be characterized by a high degree of flexibility:
‘With this fund, the board of the New Carlsberg Foundation wishes to accommodate the significant variation in the needs and restart initiatives of the different venues. Specifically, we are going to allow a broad scope with regard to the purposes and specific expenses described in the applications,’ says Christine Buhl Andersen, chairwoman of the New Carlsberg Foundation.
Applying for funding
Danish art museums, art halls and non-commercial exhibition venues can apply to the New Carlsberg Foundation’s Restart Fund 2 until 9 August. The applications will be processed by the foundation’s board at an extraordinary board meeting later in August. See the official announcement of the fund. LINK til web.
For additional information
Head of Communications and Secretariat
Jakob Fibiger Andreasen
T +45 2531 9099
E jfa@ncf.dk
