Alan Grieve CBE, Chairman
The consequences of Covid 19 continued throughout 2021 and were still with us as the year drew to a close. The wellbeing of the UK, financial challenges and global uncertainties and challenges continue alongside the accelerating dangers of climate change.
Jerwood has had no choice but to meet these challenges and do its utmost to preserve its course and priorities within its chosen fields. We have therefore directed our support to young people in the arts and education who are committed, achieving excellence, and have an entrepreneurial outlook within their work.
On a wider scale we were able to make a major £1 million grant to support individuals, mainly freelancers in theatre and music, who were suffering the consequences of the pandemic and lockdowns.
Also realised during 2021 we were one of the principal supporters and funders of a new medical education centre in Liverpool established by the Royal College of Physicians at The Spine: a new 13 storey building of striking design. One of the building's major attributes is the two simulated clinical suites situated on the 11th floor. These will enable the College to teach, train and examine young physicians in the advancing of their education and qualifications. They will be of considerable value and will avoid being a diversionary activity in a hospital environment. We hope that both individuals and the NHS will reap great advantages.
These two major grant initiatives overshadowed, but did not diminish, smaller grants such as to Scherzo Ensemble, a new young artists opera company, and Tracing Movement Reboot, a training programme to enable dancers to retain their fitness. We have also supported charities including Stand Up to Cancer, Salvation Army and Barnardos through the use of our Royal Albert Hall box.
Jerwood Collection opened its year-long residency at Harley Gallery, Nottinghamshire, in May; Jerwood Charity continued its programmes for early-career artists across the U.K. working in all artforms including the Live Work Fund and Jerwood Solo Presentations; Jerwood Space was finally able to reopen in September and has continued to recover its rehearsal strengths.
Since John Jerwood died in 1991, Jerwood has channelled over £108 million in capital and revenue funding in support of the arts and education in the UK.