AN ARTS charity has received almost £1 million in government funding to help support young musicians from the impact of the pandemic.

Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, along with its music services, have been given a total of £841,000 to help recover from the impact of the virus.

Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival received £493,000 and the music service it manages, received just over £348,000 to ensure a sustainable future for the arts in the region.

Since closure in March 2020, Brighton Dome lost 67% of its self-generated income through ticket sales and events and the music service.

The venue normally teaches over 5,000 pupils each week with music lessons in schools but was forced to adapt to online tutorials.

Andrew Comben, chief executive of Brighton Dome said the grant will be used to support professional music staff to continue working with pupils in schools.

He said: “This news gives us real confidence that we can bring back arts events securely and safely to audiences and helps sustain Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival through this time of real threat to the arts.

"The government’s investment of £1.57bn recognises the enormous value economically and socially, that arts and culture brings to our lives and we’re enormously grateful to Arts Council England for their continued support.

"We can now plan for the future and move forward with more certainty.

"We have worked hard to preserve our amazing team of staff throughout this crisis and we are all committed to working to support artists, local communities, children and young people, and to helping the arts thrive again in the city and beyond.”

It comes after the venue joined the Save Our Theatres crowdfunding campaign, launched by the Theatres Trust in September.

Peter Chivers, Head of Brighton and Hove Music and Arts, and East Sussex Music said the money will be used to support young musicians.

He said:“Playing music has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health and now more than ever, children and young people need creativity to keep them connected and motivated.

"This funding will help us continue to support young musicians through expert tuition, as well as expanding the number of pupils we can reach through online lessons, workshops and performances.”