Grants and loans will be rolled out over the next 12 months.
After meeting with Minister for the Arts, Paul Fletcher, and representatives from the arts and entertainment sector, the Morrison government has revealed a $250 targeted package for the entertainment, arts and screen sectors.
The package will include a $75 million grants program, with individual grants ranging between $75,000 to $2 million, to provide capital for festivals, concerts, tours and events; $90 million for concessional ‘Show Starter’ loans to fund new productions; $50 million to help local film and television producers secure finance and resume filming and production; and $35 million direct financial assistance for Commonwealth-funded organisations impacted by COVID-19 such as theatre, dance, music and circus.
The Prime Minister said the package will not only get performers and artists back into work, but it will support a broad range of jobs beyond the creative industries, such as tourism and hospitality.
“This package is as much about supporting the tradies who build stage sets or computer specialists who create the latest special effects, as it is about supporting actors and performers in major productions,” he said.
With the creative industries amongst the first hit by the pandemic and expected to be one of the last to enter a recovery phase, a targeted package is crucial for the survival of the arts and live entertainment. The government has been under great scrutiny for not supporting the industry which contributes $112 billion to Australia’s economy each year and employs over 600,000 Australians.
The government will partner with the Australia Council and a ministerial taskforce to implement the plan, with guidelines for the grant and loan programs to be announced in the coming weeks.
Never miss a story. Sign up to Beat’s newsletter and you’ll be served fresh music, arts, food and culture stories five times a week.
