We’re sure by now that you’ve seen the campaigns highlighting the crisis facing music venues and arts businesses across the country during this unprecedented period of uncertainty. Although lockdown restrictions are beginning to ease, the continuation of social distancing guidelines has meant that it remains financially unviable for us to re-open. With the pandemic far from over we also want to be confident then when we do re-open we are able to provide a safe environment for our staff, performers and customers. We are therefore very grateful to the Arts Council of Wales for supporting our application to their Stabilisation Fund for Organisations (funded by the National Lottery) to help us through this difficult period. 

Clwb Ifor Bach has been an integral part of the Cardiff’s creative community for over 35 years and has cemented its place as one of Wales’s leading Grassroots Music Venues, providing a stage for new and emerging artists from Wales and beyond. We have done this without the need for core funding; instead, as a not-for-profit organisation, we’ve supported our programme of events through re-investing any surplus generated from our own revenue streams. These income streams came to an abrupt halt mid-March, however our

core costs did not. The money provided by the Arts Council will help lessen the burden of those core costs and give us a fighting chance to survive this crisis. The funding has also enabled us to look at new ways to engage with our audience through digital channels with the launch of our Sunday Sessions series.

The Sunday Sessions are an opportunity for local artists to use our platforms of over 66,000 followers to play live and promote their own work, whilst also entertaining our audiences. Since the end of March, 13 artists from south Wales have gone live on our Instagram every Sunday morning, bringing comfort and some level of normality over the lockdown period. It’s also been an opportunity for the audiences to experience their favourite artists in a new way that may not be possible at a live show.

Thanks to the Stabilisation Fund for Organisations from the Arts Council of Wales and the National Lottery, the series can continue, as well as additional support for Clwb Ifor Bach, its people and its community.

The National Lottery plays an important part in supporting people, projects and the community during this difficult time, and we greatly appreciate the support given to us during these unprecedented times.

For any further questions or comments, please contact post@clwb.net.