Arts, culture and heritage organisations in Dorset will share in a funding lifeline of more than £3 million.

The funding, from the second stage of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, is designed to help organisations recover from the pandemic, start to reopen and continue to serve communities into the future.

Performing arts venues including Weymouth Pavilion, Bridport's Electric Palace, The Lighthouse in Poole and the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne will benefit from funding through the Arts Council as well as dance and combined arts organisations, many of whom specialise in outdoor arts such as Dorchester-based Activate Performing Arts and Portland's b-side festival.

Bredy Farm near Burton Bradstock which hosts live music festivals has also received some money.

Recovery funding has also been distributed to local attractions and events via the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Weymouth Pavilion – part of which is currently being used as a Covid vaccination hub – is to receive £145,895 which will go towards on-going monthly costs, essential repairs and upkeep to the fabric of the building. The grant will also ensure that the iconic venue will remain as a community hub, providing events and Covid-safe entertainment.

Pavilion director Phil Say said: “We’re thrilled to receive further support to ensure that this iconic building can continue to thrive as we emerge from this lockdown and get back to doing what we do best – putting on great entertainment for all ages."

Dorset heritage attractions getting a boost include the Swanage Railway (£189,200), the Great Dorset Steam Fair (£136,000) and Dorset Council’s Durlston Country Park in Swanage (£35,400).

Funding for the Swanage Railway will be used to pay for staff costs, locomotive hire, coal, water, fuel for diesel locomotives, Covid-19 cleaning, insurance and marketing costs.

Fundraising chairman Randy Coldham said: “I would like to thank the National Lottery for its support over the past year as, without it, the Swanage Railway would not be able to resume a Covid-safe train service from Monday, 12 April, 2021.

“The grant is vital in helping the Swanage Railway on its road to recovery."

The Great Dorset Steam Fair has been cancelled for a second year and Managing Director Martin Oliver said the grant will help safeguard the sustainability of the event as the team look ahead to planning the next show in 2022.

The fair, held near Blandford, showcases Britain’s rich industrial, rural and leisure history and is widely recognised as the world’s leading steam heritage and vintage vehicle event.

Dorset Council’s Durlston Country Park in Swanage says the cash will help the organisation recover and reopen, and support the delivery of an exciting programme of events and activities, from art exhibitions, kids' events, live music and performances, and the creation of a new job.

Durlston is said to be one of the UK’s most important sites for heritage, with an exceptional range of wildlife, geology and historic features including the Great Globe and Durlston Castle.

Arts organisations in Dorset Council area getting from the Culture Recovery Fund:

Activate Performing Arts Ltd, £59,428

b-side Multimedia Festival CIC, £34,958

Bredy Farm, £25,000

Bridport Electric Palace Company Limited, £25,000

Cape Farewell, £28,600

Copper Red design, £36,350

Diverse City, £69,940

Lance Show and Publications Limited, £206,621

Lyme Bay Arts CiC, £25,000

LymeArts Community Trust Ltd, £104,296

Made to Measure Productions Ltd, £50,217

Stagecore Productions LTD, £25,000

Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company, £46,819

Tivoli Theatre, £144,474

Twins Worldwide Ltd, £235,000

Weymouth Pavilion CIC, £145,895

Wolf Event Services Ltd, £120,000