Page updated 16-9-2020
State-by-State Information
Find the most up-to-date information relating to COVID-19 status and restrictions for your State:
Financial Support
We’ve created a summary of federal and state by state funding opportunities here:
GOVERNMENT COVID-19 FUNDING ROUND UP
Get in touch with your state-based arts agencies and review the latest information:
Federal Arts Sector Recovery Package
Minster Paul Fletcher has released the guidelines for the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund and COVID-19 Arts Sustainability Fund (Sustainability Fund). You can find a media release here, and full information on the guidelines here.
JobKeeper Information
Find the most up-to-date information on JobKeeper Payments on the ATO website here.
You can download the Treasury fact sheet here.
PAC Australia Guidelines for COVID-Safe Theatres
The national guidelines for COVID-Safe Theatres, prepared by PAC Australia, are now available.
You can download the document in full here and more information on the creation and context of the document is available here.
PAC Australia would like to acknowledge the contributions of Kim Tran (Live Performance Australia), Simon Hinton (Merrigong Theatre), Shauna Weekes and Glenn Hall (Perth Theatre Trust) and Ross Farnell (through his engagement with VAPAC to develop the VIC resources).
General Guidelines for Reopening
Some relevant resources from friends and members:
- The Australia Council have launched Re-activate – a user friendly guide for independent artists and organisations to recommence their practice.
- VAPAC have released A Safe Guide for Re-Opening Performing Arts Venues (link is for Version 2.3 updated 4-8-2020).
- Black Swan State Theatre Company have shared their Return to Work Plan.
- For members also operating gallery spaces, the Museums and Galleries QLD Safety Plan is a useful resource.
- Return To Dance – Ausdance have released principles and frameworks for restarting dance activities. Read more here.
- C!RCA have made their COVID-Safe Plan publicly available, which is an excellent example for producing companies. Download here.
- Create NSW have delivered a COVID Safety Plan for Cinemas, Theatres and Concert Halls. FAQ’s related to the plan can be found here. A webinar recording from Create NSW including a representative from NSW Health can also be viewed here.
- The team at Stage QLD have done a phenomenal job delivering their Industry Plan for QLD Live Performance Venues.
- Arts Centre Melbourne and VAPAC have shared a comprehensive Return To Work document.
- LPA have pulled together a summary of the state-by-state contact tracing requirements.
- The Australia Council have released their latest document in support of COVID-Recovery: Re-Activate: Beyond Step Three.
- Some great examples of communications to audiences and patrons regarding reopening can be found via Civic Theatre Wagga Wagga’s COVID-Safe video and a video from US company The Paramount.
Resources for Venues & Orgs
National Gig-Ready Dashboard – 14 Aug 2020
The Australian Live Music Business Council have released their National Gig-Ready Dashboard. Although heavily skewed towards music venues, it is an excellent, live resource for monitoring recovery phases, physical distancing requirements and other COVID-19 related restrictions on a state by state basis.
Access the dashboard for free here.
Snapshot Of Current Presenter Intent For 2021/22
On 7/5/2020 PAC Australia polled our presenter members as to their current response to programming and plans moving forward.
You can view the results so far here.
PAC Australia Resources
If you’re looking for frameworks, metrics and useful language when quantifying your venue’s impact on and outcomes for your local community, be sure to reference our Performing Spaces guide. This guide was developed primarily for local government senior management, to assist them to grow community wellbeing through their performing arts centres and facilities.
Our most recent Economic Activity Report, which measures the scale of operations and economic activity of performing arts centres nationally may also be of use.
World Health Organisation – Advice & Downloads
Concise and up-to-date information on daily life during the COVID-19 outbreak is available here on the World Health Organisation’s website.
It includes an extensive library of downloads such as posters, flyers and fact sheets you might like to put up in your office or any public spaces.
Risk Management Plan – Example
Arts Centre Melbourne have generously shared a coronavirus inclusive Risk Management Plan, which you may also find useful. You can download it here.
Business Continuity Plan – Template
The Queensland Government has a helpful Business Continuity Plan template on their website.
Support Act Arts Wellbeing Collective
You can find the Arts Wellbeing Collective Helpline poster available to download here.
Additional Support Act resources, including additional signs and poster downloads, are available here.
Audience Outlook Monitor – Getting Audiences Back
Phase Two Results Available Now
Data collection for Phase 2 of the Audience Outlook Monitor took place between 8-12 July, and the results are now available.
- Download the Snapshot / Key Findings report.
- View the dashboard to drill down into the data
- A recording of the Phase 2 Results webinar can be found here.
Data will be collected from audiences again in September, as we follow the course of the pandemic and see how audiences respond to changing restrictions on arts and cultural events.
LPA Refunds & Exchanges Guidance
Live Performance Australia has developed guidance for ticket refunds and exchanges in a COVID-19 environment. You can download the guidance document here.
Music Licensing Update / Live-Streaming Performances
Arts Law Centre of Australia have put together this Fact Sheet regarding putting works online during this time.
In terms of licensing policies for streamed events, you can view the most up to date guidance from APRA here for Dramatic Context Events and Music Events. If you need specific advice or clarification, please email online@apra.com.au
One Music licences have been paused for businesses and organisations affected by COVID-19. We encourage you to contact OneMusic directly to confirm how this applies to you.
Senate Inquiry
On 8 April, the Senate resolved to establish a Select Committee on COVID-19 to inquire into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. PAC Australia has made a submission to the inquiry, primarily focussed on the impact of COVID-19 on performing arts venues and presenters and the ongoing viability issues that our sector will continue to face while the rest of the economy restarts. You can review the submission here. (Note: submissions closed on 28 May, but PAC Australia received an extension to submit by 11 June).
Look After Your Mental Health
Entertainment Assist have created a short series of free mental health webinars, in a program called Intermission. Topics include isolation, finance, healthy habits and sleep.
Beyond Blue have put together this excellent resource on how to look after your mental health during these strange and difficult times. We’re all in this together.
The Arts Wellbeing Collective is also available if you need to brush up on some useful self-care techniques, or call their hotline if you need someone to talk to. The AWC has also collected a series of resources you might find useful which you can find right here.
You can find the Arts Wellbeing Collective Helpline poster available to download here.
Additional Support Act resources, including additional signs and poster downloads, are available here.