The taxpayer’s investment in the sector, and the Department’s future role in overseeing it, present a huge opportunity for the Department to step up its support and advocacy for the sector. The Department has gained a lot of new information and understanding about the sector, which it could put to good use. We want to see the Department apply what it has learned from the Culture Recovery Fund to build the economic potential of the sector. In addition to the sector’s importance to the COVID 19: Culture Recovery Fund 7 domestic economy, we are particularly thinking about the sector’s export potential and the varying levels of cultural and heritage resources across the country. To make the most of this opportunity requires effective action, oversight and advocacy by the Department. Recommendation: The Permanent Secretary should write to us by the end of 2021 setting out: • what she sees as the key challenges facing the sector following the Department’s Culture Recovery Fund investment; • what opportunities the fund has offered for the Department to be a better advocate for the vibrancy of the creative arts and culture sector in all parts of the country; and • how the Department will realise future cultural and economic impacts, including for export, from its investment. 8 COVID 19: Culture Recovery Fund 1 Oversight and management of the Culture Recovery Fund