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

Posted in Communities on 22/Nov/2020 09:00

25 NOVEMBER, 2020

State Government update

Funding

Regional Victoria

22 NOVEMBER, 2020

State Government update

  • The Premier today announced further easing of restrictions.
    • From midnight tonight:From 30 November, up to 25 per cent of workers will be able to attend onsite at an office (employees as nominated by employer).The Premier’s Statement is available in full here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/statement-premier-82
      • Outdoor gatherings in a public place will increase to 50.
      • Cinemas, galleries and museums will be able to host up to 150 people indoors.
      • Masks will be required when you’re indoors and on public transport, or where you can’t keep your distance. If you’re outdoors and you can keep a safe distance, masks will no longer be mandatory. 
      • Patron limits will also increase for creative studios, community venues, indoor entertainment and major cultural venues.
      • A summary of all of these changes is available here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-11/221120%20-%20Last%20Step%20restrictions%20.pdf

 Resources

19 NOVEMBER, 2020

Creative Workers in Schools

  • Applications are now open for Creative Workers in Schools (CWS). The CWS project provides the opportunity for 150 creative industry workers to undertake a six-month residency in Victorian government schools, including special schools. Creative workers and Schools will be supported to work together to codesign and deliver an educationally valuable project or set of activities that supports learning across the Victorian Curriculum F–10 over 6 months. You can read more about the program here: http://www.rav.net.au/creative-workers-in-schools/

State Government update

Funding and Opportunities

  • The Australian Institute of Music’s Future Sounds Scholarship Program aims to identify and reward five of the best young musicians or music entrepreneurs in Australia: https://www.aim.edu.au/scholarships

Resources

Regional Victoria

12 NOVEMBER, 2020

Federal Government Update

State Government update

Funding and Opportunities

Resources

Regional Victorian responses

8 NOVEMBER, 2020

Relaxing of restrictions

  • You will most likely have already seen that restrictions will be further eased tomorrow, and then again from 22 November. The restrictions on travel beyond 25km and the restriction preventing travel between Melbourne and regional Victoria will be been lifted from midnight this evening.
  • The main creative industries restrictions to be lifted are included below (with thanks to Creative Victoria):All information as it becomes available will be shared here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-sector-guidance-arts-and-recreation-services
    • From 11.59pm, Sunday 8 November: 
      • Indoor entertainment venues (cinemas, music halls, concert halls, auditoriums, galleries, and museum) can openwith a maximum of 20 people per space, and a maximum group booking size of 10 people.
      • Physical distancing of 1.5 metres must be maintained between groups.
      • Performance or screening times must be staggered; 30-minute interval between sessions to avoid crowds in foyers and bathrooms.
      • New rules apply in relation to performances and rehearsals for live music. A physical distance of two metres is required between performers, and a distance of five metres must be maintained between performers and the audience. Performers are excluded from venues caps. For amateur music groups, there is an additional requirement that no more than five people per space can sing or play wind instruments.
      • Creative studios are allowed up to 10 people per space with 1.5 metre distance between people and subject to a density quotient of one per four square metres. The above rules in relation to live music apply. 
    • From 11.59pm on 22 November (pending further health advice): 
      • Indoor seated venues can increase their capacity to 100 people per space with 20 people in any group booking.
      • A density quotient of one person per four square metres with a maximum of 25 per cent capacity will apply, with staggered operations are required for separate spaces.
      • Outdoor seated venues will be allowed 50 per cent seated capacity up to a maximum of 500 people.
      • Further advice for galleries and museums will be provided soon for this final step.
  • You can read the Premier’s Statement in full here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/statement-premier-81

Funding and Opportunities

Regional Victorian responses

  • The Port Fairy Spring Music Festival Digital Festival Program will run from Nov 28 to 4 December: http://portfairyspringfest.com.au/
  • Art Show Pakenham have placed a selection from their online Isolation Exhibition in a vacant shop window in Pakenham Place: 'Creativity Risen from Isolation'. The entire exhibition can be found at facebook.com/ArtShowPakenham
  • Across November 2020 – January 2021, Fairfax Youth Initiative will provide online mentorship in storytelling to 15 young people living in the Murray Mallee. EOIs will open soon: https://townhall.swanhill.vic.gov.au/fairfax/

2 NOVEMBER, 2020

An update from us, with a reopening note to start with.

A number of you have been asking about when galleries might be able to open. We don’t have any advice on when publicly-owned galleries (ie local government-owned) can open yet, though we will continue to seek further information from government.

We do know, however, that commercial galleries might be classified as retail, and thus can re-open (with all necessary precautions in place). Under the ‘Frequently asked questions’ section as this link, there is some more information to help determine if this applies to you:https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-sector-guidance-arts-and-recreation-services   

If you feel that definition might be applied to you, you can have a look at the advice for retailers here:https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-sector-guidance-retail-trade-goods  

And don’t forgot the COVID-safe plan you’ll need to have in place: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/covidsafe-plan

Policy and Government Updates – State Government

Funding and Opportunities

Resources

  • The Victorian Government's coronavirus has a number of useful resources, including:
    • A COVIDSafe Plan template to help businesses plan and take action to prevent the introduction of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the workplace.
    • Businesses can also access a collection of signage, posters and questionnaires to assist in communicating key messages to workers and customers.
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19) translated information for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds is also available online for businesses and industry. Businesses can also call 13 22 15 and request a free translator.

 Regional Victorian responses

27 OCTOBER, 2020

Policy and Government Updates – State Government

Funding and Opportunities

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

Regional Arts Victoria has been providing regular updates to our Members as we become aware of new announcements and information relevant to the arts and creative industries. We will post these here.