The Morrison Government will inject an additional $135 million to support thousands of jobs in the arts and entertainment sector, as it continues to come back from the impacts of COVID-19.
The Government will provide a further $125 million, available until 31 December 2021, into the already successful Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund. This funding will support around 230 projects and up to 90,000 jobs and builds on an original commitment of $75 million. RISE funding is provided to arts businesses and organisations as competitive project grants towards the cost of putting on activities such as festivals, concerts, tours, productions and events.
The Government will also provide a further $10 million to the charity Support Act in 2020-21, to assist with its vital work in providing crisis support to artists and other workers across the creative sector. This is in addition to the $10 million directed to Support Act by the Morrison Government last April.
Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said RISE is helping to drive the creative economy resurgence, as venues reopen and performances are booked in.
“Our focus has turned to stimulating activity so the work opportunities can flow,” Minister Fletcher said.
“This new funding comes at an important stage in the resurgence of Australia’s arts and entertainment sector. The purpose of the RISE program is to get shows put on, bringing employment to performers, crews and front-of-house staff.”
The Government will also update the RISE program’s guidelines to:
- Make it easier for multiple businesses and organisations to access the program to put on a show, including pre-production support. For example, it is common in the music industry that a promoter works with an artist, their manager, a sound and lighting provider and various other parties in the lead-up to a concert or tour.
- Encourage projects from as low as $25,000.
The Government will consult on the wording of these changes before finalising them.
The boost to the RISE program builds on the Government’s investment of almost $800 million in additional arts and entertainment funding announced in 2020, on top of an investment of around $750 million in annual funding, more than $730 million provided to the Creative and Performing Arts subdivision of industry through JobKeeper, and about $119 million provided in cash flow payments to Creative and Performing Arts organisations.
For more information about COVID-19 and arts support visit: www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update.