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The additional funding comes just days before JobKeeper winds up at the end of the month, with one in five recipients of the wage subsidy’s remaining recipients from the arts and entertainment sector.
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Government extends another COVID-19 lifeline to the arts
26 March 2021
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The Morrison government on Wednesday announced further targeted support for the arts and entertainment sector worth $135 million.
Of the $135 million cash injection, $125 million will be rolled into the government’s pre-existing Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund, which was announced last year with a view to prop up the sector after venues were shuttered and lockdowns ensued.
The remaining $10 million will go to the charity Support Act, which provides crisis support to artists and other workers across the creative sector.
“This new funding comes at an important stage in the resurgence of Australia’s arts and entertainment sector,” said Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications. “The purpose of the RISE program is to get shows put on, bringing employment to performers, crews and front-of-house staff.”
The latest RISE boost is set to support around 230 projects and up to 90,000 jobs, building upon its initial commitment of $75 million when it was rolled out last year, and the $730 million in JobKeeper payments received by the creative and performing arts sector.
When RISE was first rolled out, it was only made available to a small pool of successful applicants, with Laneway Festival, Michael Cassel Group, and Bluesfest among the most notable recipients of the scheme’s first iteration.
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Its initial focus was to offer competitive project grants to shoulder the costs of putting on events like festivals, concerts and theatre productions, and will now extend its remit to soften the blow of pre-production costs as well.
“These two programs are designed to support the roadies, are designed to support the front-of-house crew, are designed to support the performers themselves and their managers as well as everyone involved in putting together a performance,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said in a press conference on Thursday.
“Whether it’s hospitality, whether it’s accommodation, whether it’s transport and logistics, all will benefit from this injection of $125 million from the second round of RISE grants.”
While it’s unclear how the fund’s framework will change, Mr Fletcher has promised to make it “easier” for businesses and organisations to access the scheme.
“Our focus has turned to stimulating activity so the work opportunities can flow,” Mr Fletcher said.
Under its expansion, the subsidy will be available until 31 December 2021 and encourage applications from projects with a value of as little as $25,000.
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