Funding Round Up – Government COVID-19 Support
The information supplied was last updated 23-12-2020.
FEDERAL
On 27 August 2020, the Federal Government announced an additional $3.1 million to expand mental health and wellbeing services available through the Ahead for Business initiative to ensure small business owners and their staff can access support and resources.
The federal government have announced their $250m package for arts sector recovery in the wake of COVID-19. Read the full media release here. Eligibility criteria and funding guidelines are under development.
A Fact Sheet relating to the package is available here.
$27m in arts sector funding, announced by Minister Paul Fletcher on 9 April. ($10m for regional arts, $7m for Indigenous artists and $10m for Support Act).
You can also visit the Office for the Arts COVID-19 updates page for non-sector specific federal funding assistance available.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have published this straight-forward COVID-19 Government Assistance Guide.
Playing Australia is open to applications for funding with some adjustments to the guidelines (for closing dates on Tuesday 6 October 2020 and Tuesday 2 March 2021 only) accounting for COVID-19 conditions.
STATE
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
On 24 March 2020, the ACT Government announced $500,000 for Homefront for Canberra’s artists and creatives.
On 11 May 2020, the ACT Government announced an additional $ 1 million investment to arts organisations that had been severely impacted by COVID-19.
NEW SOUTH WALES
On 24 April 2020, Create NSW announced $6.34 million in funding to support independent artists and small to medium arts, screen and cultural organisations impacted by COVID-19.
Applications for Small Project Grants (Quick Response) are open and close 5:00pm (AEST) 30 June 2020 or until grant allocation is expended.
On 27 April 2020, the New South Wales Government announced up to $112.5 million to support a Council Job Retention Allowance of $1,500 per fortnight per qualifying NSW local government employee for up to three months.
On 24 May 2020, the New South Wales Government announced $50 million for a Rescue and Restart package for NSW arts and cultural organisations.
On 22 August 2020, the New South Wales Government announced the Southern Border Small Business Support Grant, which can only be used for eligible expenses incurred following the introduction of the NSW and Victoria border permit scheme on 8 July 2020.
VICTORIA
On 20 September 2020, the Victorian Government announced the latest round of initiatives, including grants of more than $13 million, to help prepare Victoria’s $1.7 billion music industry for a vibrant, COVID Normal future.
On 14 September 2020, the Victorian Government announced a $290 million Outdoor Eating and Entertainment Package.
On 13 September 2020, the Victorian Government announced a $3 billion Business Survival and Adaptation Package.
On 4 July 2020, the Victorian Government announced the creation of the $15 million Victorian Live Music Venues Program to secure the future of grassroots venues by providing grants to help pay wages and basic business expenses.
On 25 April 2020, the Victorian Government announced $16.8 million in funding to provide immediate support to Victorian creative organisations and individuals impacted by COVID-19.
On 21 March 2020, the Victorian Government announced $500 million to establish a Business Support Fund for the hardest hit sectors, including arts and entertainment.
QUEENSLAND
Live Music Venue Support focusses on relieving cost pressures for Queensland live music venues with a track record of presenting original live music to reopen under current restrictions. It will assist music venues to reopen with grants of up to $15,000 for small venues (up to 499 pax.) and up to $25,000 for large venues (Over 500 pax.) by helping to offset costs associated with operating the venue under current restrictions.
The Arts and Cultural Recovery Package includes a range of measures to strengthen the sector’s foundations for the future, drive new creative work, employ artists and arts workers, retain our skilled and talented creatives, and importantly, ensure the activation of our venues. Read more information here.
On 16 June 2020, the Queensland Government has announced a new $22.5 million two-year Arts and Cultural Recovery Package for Queensland’s arts and cultural sector as part of Queensland’s Economic Recovery Strategy: Stage Two.
On 18 March 2020, the Queensland Government announced $8 million in funding relief for the arts sector.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
On 24 September 2020, the South Australian Government announced an additional $10.2 million to create jobs and fast-track the arts and cultural sector’s recovery from the devastating impacts of COVID-19. This brings the South Australian Government’s total support package for the arts and cultural sector to $20 million.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Lotterywest have established a $159 million COVID-19 relief fund.
On 9 April 2020, the West Australian Government announced it will invest $2.1 million over the next three years in regional arts.
TASMANIA
On 26 March 2020, the Tasmanian Government announced new funding of $1.5 million and operational measures of over $2 million for a Cultural and Creative Industries stimulus package to support the individuals and organisations leading Tasmania’s cultural sector.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
On 24 March 2020, the NT Government announced a $2 million Creative Industries Immediate Response and Resilience Package to support the creative industries sector with a range of programs aimed at helping people and organisations.
Round 2 of the Territory Arts Project will open in June 2020.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
On 27 April 2020, the New South Wales Government announced up to $112.5 million to support a Council Job Retention Allowance of $1,500 per fortnight per qualifying NSW local government employee for up to three months.
City of Sydney
On 20 March 2020, the City of Sydney announced the first stage of their COVID-19 Business, Arts and Creative Support package.
The City of Sydney also allocated $3.25 million to local artists and cultural organisations.
Applications for the COVID-19 Quick Response Grants are open and close when funds run out.
City of Melbourne
On 18 March 2020, the City of Melbourne announced more than $10 million for a local economic stimulus package to keep Melburnians in jobs and support city businesses affected by COVID-19.
On 26 March 2020, the City of Melbourne announced $2 million in financial assistance for artists or small organisations to develop new work, or for digital presentation of artistic works and performances.
Brisbane City Council
On 19 March 2020, the Brisbane City Council announced a $7.9 million business relief package. The package includes refunds of fees and charges for events cancelled due to COVID-19 gathering restrictions.
City of Perth
On 20 September 2020, a $1.5 billion partnership between the Federal Government, Western Australian Government and City of Perth was finalised and announced.
On 21 April 2020, the City of Perth announced an $18 million package designed to provide immediate support to City of Perth businesses, rate payers and residents over 12 months.
The City of Perth is currently working on a long-term stimulus package.
City of Adelaide
On 23 March 2020, the City of Adelaide announced a $4 million city support package to address the social, cultural and economic impacts of COVID-19.
City of Hobart
On 23 March 2020, the City of Hobart approved a $3.5 million Community Support Package on 23 March 2020. The Community Support Package includes Quick Response Grants to support businesses and creative industries. Refunds or waivers of fees and charges will also be provided to organisers of cancelled events.
CIty of Darwin
On 9 April 2020, the City of Darwin Council unanimously approved a $55 million economic package that aims to provide wide-ranging economic support to local households and businesses during the COVID-19 response.
Thank you to Live Performance Australia for compiling the majority of the above list.
Find more COVID-19 resources here.