1st Mar 09
Victorian Bushfires
The Board and staff at Regional Arts Victoria extend their heartfelt sympathies to all those individuals and communities in regional areas that have been affected by the recent fires.
Emergency assistance is available for ABN registered artists whose businesses have been directly impacted by the fires, through loss of tools of trade or through loss of business. The assistance package comprises:
- A one-off grant of up to $5,000 for immediate repair and restoration costs, with additional funds available up to a total of $25,000 for eligible businesses with significant damage
- Free access to professional business advice and counselling services
- A low-cost loan scheme through the Rural Finance Corporation. Further information is available from Business Victoria.
RAV is in discussion with other arts and community agencies to determine what might be done in the short-term to mid-term to assist effected communities as they come to terms with this unprecedented fire event. We recommend those wishing to make a financial contribution contact the Red Cross on 1800 811 700 or donate online.
We seek your help in contacting artists who have been adversely affected. You may know of an artist who has lost the tools of their trade, their collection, their next exhibition, their studio space or their business. We would very much like to be put in touch with them. If you are able to assist with either of these things, please contact Joe Toohey by email or by phone on 03 9644 1800 or toll free on 1800 819 803.
