Update for Regional Artists and Arts Organisations in Response to Covid-19

7 JULY, 2020

Dear Members,

I’m certain many of you will have already seen the reintroduction of Stage 3 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire announced today, as well as the NSW border closures announced earlier this week. There are links to further information below about each. 

A reminder that Creative Victoria have compiled a list of ways to look after your health and wellbeing and connect with someone to talk to. You can find more details here: https://creative.vic.gov.au/coronavirus/industry-resources/health-and-wellbeing.

State Government Restrictions

• Stage three restrictions have been reimposed for metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, effective midnight July 8. People living in these areas are able to leave home to:The full statement is available here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/statement-from-the-premier-49/; and further detail on the restrictions is available here: https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1280391291960913920/photo/1 
  • Necessary goods and services
  • Work and education
  • Medical care or compassionate reasons
  • Exercise and recreation

Border closure

• Those impacted by the closure of the NSW border can apply for a border declaration permit here:https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-covid-19-nsw-border-declaration-permit?fbclid=IwAR19Y-R_9ij-NWX56ffRnsz0PqOYph_5pP3rZLMP9_O3zCvVz4OBCops8Nc

Funding available

• The Victorian government will launch a funding program for live music venues impacted by shutdown later this month.Accommodation providers impacted by COVID-19 cancellations might also be eligible for this fund:https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/tourism-accommodation-support-program
  • You can read the statement here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/lifeline-for-victorias-famous-live-music-venues/
  • Creative Victoria will have more information about the program available here from 16 July:https://creative.vic.gov.au/grants-and-support/programs/victorian-live-music-venues-program

Survey

• The VMDO and RMIT have partnered on a COVID-19 Music Industry Impacts Study, which aims to map the impacts of the crisis on Victorians working in music. This includes anyone who is in the music sector and/or is making money from activity related to music. The survey itself takes around 15 minutes to complete, more information can be found here: https://www.vmdo.com.au/news/2020/6/26/covid-19-music-industry-impacts-study. And the direct survey link from RMIT: https://rmit.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0OI5p7PmSaWrtXv

Regional Victorian news

• The Shire of Yarra Ranges has an Indigenous art opportunity available at the redeveloped Civic Centre:https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Council/Latest-news/EOI-called-for-Indigenous-art-opportunity-at-redeveloped-Civic-Centre

1 JULY, 2020

Arts funding for regional Victoria

• • • Regional Arts Victoria launched a number of funding initiatives today for regional artists and organisations:
      • Small grants to assist community connection, engagement and resilience for communities impacted by the 2019-20 bushfires in regional Victoria. The program will focus on the creative activity that assists these communities with short and long term recovery: http://www.rav.net.au/funding-opportunities/creative-recovery-small-grants-program/
      • Regional Arts Fund Relief and Recovery Grants, in response to the difficulties experienced by regional artists, arts organisations and communities who have been heavily impacted by COVID-19: http://www.rav.net.au/funding-opportunities/raf-recovery-boost/

Australia Council for Arts

• • • The Australia Council has announced details of its investment opportunities for individuals and organisations:https://mailchi.mp/3408838555f9/direct-investment-announcement-5771513?e=9b2193c903

Re-opening resources and information

• • • The Statement from the Premier about ‘hotspots’ and increasing restrictions related to COVID-19 is available here:https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/statement-from-the-premier-47/
    • Following last week’s live-stream webinar on Guidelines to Safely Reopening Community Venues with VAPAC, Regional Arts Victoria has now made a recording available of the session: https://vimeo.com/433493361The Municipal Association is running a Council and Community Small to Medium Indoor Events and Festivals Information Session with VAPAC at 10am, Thursday Jul 2. The Zoom link is here: https://zoom.us/j/94530357741?pwd=bXNTakZTNXdaaDUzZ1VmZ2xrRTloUT09
      • You can also share approaches to navigating guidelines through the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/173438576894720

Opportunities

• • • Open Call for Hyphenated Biennial: Development and Presentation Opportunities for First Nations and Asian-Australian Artists:https://www.hyphenatedprojects.com/hyphenated_biennial.html

Regional Victorian Responses

• • • WE THE MAKERS is a new biennial design festival from the National Wool Museum showcasing the work of artists, designers and makers: https://www.wethemakers2020.com.au/

25 JUNE, 2020

Federal funding announcement

• • • The Prime Minister and Arts Minister announced a $250m ‘JobMaker’ plan today for the creative economy. It includes:
      • Seed Investment to Reactivate Productions and Tours – $75 million in competitive grant funding in 2020-21 through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund. This program will provide capital to help production and event businesses to put on new festivals, concerts, tours and events as social distancing restrictions ease, including through innovative operating and digital delivery models. Grants of varying sizes will be available, from $75,000 through to $2 million.
      • Show Starter Loans – $90 million in concessional loans to assist creative economy businesses to fund new productions and events that stimulate job creation and economic activity. The loans program will complement the RISE Fund and will be delivered through commercial banks, backed by a 100 per cent Commonwealth guarantee.
      • Kick-starting Local Screen Production – $50 million for a Temporary Interruption Fund, to be administered by Screen Australia, that will support local film and television producers to secure finance and start filming again, supporting thousands of jobs in the sector. Filming of new productions has largely been halted as insurers are not providing coverage for COVID-19.  
      • Supporting Sustainability of Sector-Significant Organisations – $35 million to provide direct financial assistance to support significant Commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations facing threats to their viability due to COVID-19, which may include organisations in fields including theatre, dance, circus, music and other fields. The Government will partner with the Australia Council to deliver this funding.
      • A Creative Economy Taskforce – establishment of a ministerial taskforce to partner with the Government and the Australia Council to implement the JobMaker plan for the creative economy.
      • You can read the full release here, with further details to be released soon: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/250-million-jobmaker-plan-restart-australias-creative-economy

Responses to the announcement

• • • NAVA released this statement: https://visualarts.net.au/news-opinion/2020/nava-welcomes-arts-package/
    • Live Performance Australia released this one:  https://liveperformance.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/LPA-MR-Live-performance-industry-welcomes-Federal-Government-arts-and-entertainment-package-25-June-2020.pdf

Opportunities and resources

• • • Murray Arts and the in partnership with the Cultural Round Table of the Border North East have opened a second round of UNLOCKED: https://mailchi.mp/86847e40a94e/artist-opportunities-unlocked-july-and-celsius?e=850bdca5a9
    • Express Media, in partnership with Country Arts SA and Carclew , present Toolkits: Regional Playwriting: https://expressmedia.org.au/programs/toolkits/toolkits-regional-playwriting/
    • Economic Development Australia has a series of free webinars: https://www.edaustralia.com.au/economic-recovery-hub/economic-recovery-webinars/

Regional Victorian responses

• • • The Ballarat Winter Festival is coming soon: https://ballaratwinterfestival.com.au/?utm_source=cobpaidfb&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ballaratvirtualwinterfest
    • Mount Alexander Shire Council has announced a new community-driven initiative called “Get Lost”: https://mailchi.mp/135c3c30515e/december-arts-enews-2464321?e=e5564dd8c4
    • Galah Bar ON AIR is an online event created for you to enjoy some of the North-East’s best talent from the comfort of your own home:https://hothousetheatre.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/t/0E7DCFADBCA8F6B82540EF23F30FEDED/EA2B10164C9C4D2216FB8100885F948