Here’s how you can help theatres and music venues across the UK survive

The government has announced a £1.57 billion support package for UK theatres, music venues and other cultural venues, following pleas for help from those working in the arts sector. Theatres and music venues have been unable to stage live performances during the coronavirus crisis. While businesses such as restaurants, pubs and hairdressers are now beginning to reopen, live performances are still off-limits. Some theatres in England were able to reopen on 4 July, but not for live performances. Venues also eligible for the emergency grants and loans include museums, galleries, independent cinemas and heritage sites. But if you would like to support theatres and music venues as restrictions remain in place, there are various ways in which you can do so. Donate to charities There are numerous charities which can help those out of work in the arts, especially freelancers.You can donate to charities such as royalvarietycharity.org or the actorsbenevolentfund.co.uk. You can also donate to helpmusicians.org.uk, which has been helping musicians with financial pressures during the pandemic. Donate your ticket fee instead of getting a refund Instead of getting a refund on your ticket for a cancelled show, you could donate the cost of your ticket as a way of helping the theatre or music venue. Venues tend to rely on ticket income in order to to survive, so your donated ticket cost could help to keep them going. Buy venue memberships You could also buy into membership or loyalty schemes for a particular venue. Not only would this give you perks in the future, such as priority access to tickets, but it would also give the theatre a cash injection. Choose what you might like to go and watch Although it’s still uncertain as to when theatres and music venues will reopen for live performances, if you’re eager to watch a play, musical or gig as soon as venues reopen, you could start writing down what you might like to see and when. You can then book your chosen plays or gigs when venues reopen and the green light is given, making sure you don’t miss out. Watch shows and performances online - and donate Through the lockdown period, a variety of performances, both theatrical and musical have been streamed online. It’s a great way to watch from home if you’re missing live entertainment, with producers coming up with different ways to create content in order to keep performers in work, and keep theatres and music lovers entertained. Many of these performances ask for a donation, so if you are able to then this is also a great way of helping the arts industry.