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

20 SEPTEMBER, 2020 

Policy and Government Updates

• The Victorian government has announced funding recipients and new opportunities for Victoria’s music sector:
  • A range of venues, including a number in regional Victoria, have been supported through the first tranche of the Victorian Live Music Venues program – you can see the full list here: https://creative.vic.gov.au/news/2020/supporting-our-music-industry-to-rebuild-and-recover 
  • Proposed new planning controls to support live music precincts
  • A Victorian Music Industry Recovery grants program, opening Sep 21 and closing 22 October:https://creative.vic.gov.au/grants-and-support/programs/victorian-music-industry-recovery-program
  • A series of Strategic Projects will be delivered, including a partnership between Regional Arts Victoria and Music Victoria to support regional music industry recovery. The full list of these projects is available here, with further detail to come:https://creative.vic.gov.au/news/2020/supporting-our-music-industry-to-rebuild-and-recover
  • You can read the Premier’s full statement here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/supporting-our-world-famous-music-scene-and-workers   

Funding and Opportunities

• Facebook have launched a small business grants programme:https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grants
• The Youth Action Project Grant Scheme (YAPGS), an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health and FYA, is providing grants between $5,000 and $20,000 (a total of up to $950K inc. GST) to projects that support young people (15-24 years) as they navigate and recover from the currently difficult period: https://www.fya.org.au/yapgs/?fbclid=IwAR3QTxMhlHzSzi6s4hK0zhVWJPGIiwjID0f4PinG080w0m1Uzo80QxQNfPk
• MATCH Lab is a matched funding program for independent artists and groups. It’s for artists looking to build their fundraising and arts business skills and run a fundraising campaign: https://creativepartnershipsaustralia.org.au/for-artists-and-arts-organisations/funding-programs/match/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CPA%20eNews%20September%202020&utm_content=CPA%20eNews%20September%202020+CID_1ddd23483d508eb1f4bbb5740f002c08&utm_source=EDMs%20campaign%20monitor&utm_term=MATCH%20Lab 

Regional Victorian responses

• The Wedge Sale will begin running outdoor shows from this week, starting with STAGE DOOR TWILIGHT SESSIONS: https://thewedge.com.au/?fbclid=IwAR2Op_xkPc2dC8zakETav96n6ub1QNguTVHGjlftl8aJVLV8TtOIyXXsLT4
• #putoutyourpoetry is a community project in the Shire of Yarra Ranges to support and encourage community connection in local streets: https://mailchi.mp/yarraranges.vic.gov.au/1jd2etxjra-909681?e=57a15c4e7e

15 SEPTEMBER, 2020

Policy and Government Updates

• From 11.59pm Wednesday, regional Victoria will move to the Third Step of the re-opening roadmap ahead of schedule:
  • You can read the Premier’s full statement here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/node/22275
  • You can see what this means under the regional roadmap here:https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-reopening-roadmap-regional-victoria
• Further support has been announced for the hospitality and entertainment industry including:
  • $58 million for grants of up to $5,000 to help hospitality businesses pay for the practical things such as umbrellas, outdoor furniture, screens and other equipment to serve outdoors;
  • $29.5 million for local councils to help them implement swift and streamlined permit, enforcement and monitoring processes to support expanded outdoor dining; and,
  • A $100 million Sole Trader Support Fund; the Fund will provide grants of $3,000 to eligible sole traders working in sectors of the economy that will continue to be affected by restrictions, like media and film production, creative studios, outdoor entertainment and in private museums and galleries.
  • Read the full Statement here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/taking-footpaths-getting-ready-outdoor-dining
  • Follow details here: https://www.business.vic.gov.au/

Consultation

• On-demand workers, businesses and Victorians who use platforms for goods and services are being asked for their views on a way forward for the ever-growing gig economy: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/have-your-say-over-future-gig-economy
• The Australia Council has provided further details about upcoming Re-imagine sessions:https://mailchi.mp/b4a4e69ff0ae/creative-connections-two-new-sessions-6047389?e=9b2193c903

Resources

• Entertainment Assist has responded to the increasing demand for mental health and wellbeing support from members of the Australian entertainment industry with the release of additional mental health webinars: https://www.entertainmentassist.org.au/mental-health-webinars
• The Arts Wellbeing Collective have launched some Mental Health Matinées, a series of online presentations promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in the performing arts: https://www.artswellbeingcollective.com.au/resources/new-mental-health-matinees-season-one/?utm_source=acm&utm_campaign=200915_AWC&cmp=1&utm_medium=email

13 SEPTEMBER, 2020

Policy and Government Updates

• A $3billion support package for Victorian business was announced today, including:
  • $822 million to small and medium-sized businesses through a third iteration of the Business Support Fund;
  • $251 million to licensed hospitality businesses by providing grants of up to $30,000 for licensed pubs, clubs, hotels, bars, restaurants and reception centres;
  • Support for small businesses to access digital programs and training to adapt to online operations; and,
  • A range of tax deferrals and waivers.
  • You can read more about these programs here: https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-survival-and-adaptation-package, and register for updates from Business Victoria here:https://www.business.vic.gov.au/subscribe-to-newsletters
  • The Premier’s Statement is available here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/supporting-victorian-businesses-our-road-covid-normal
• Restrictions in Victoria will change marginally in metro Melbourne from midnight this evening, whilst in regional Victoria, restrictions will move from Stage 3 to Second Step of the roadmap.
  • You can read the Premier’s Statement here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/road-towards-covid-normal
  • For more information on restrictions:With other industry bodies, with have been meeting with the State Government in recent weeks to continue to advise and receive further information on the needs of the arts and creative industries. Further guides are being developed and will be released, however please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can direct any queries you have to the right place.
    • Head here for regional Victoria: https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-reopening-roadmap-regional-victoria, with a summary doc available here: https://www.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-09/How-we-work-Regional-Victoria_0.pdf
    • And here for metro Melbourne: https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-reopening-roadmap-metro-melbourne, with a summary doc available here: https://www.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-09/How-we-work-Metro-Melbourne_2.pdf

Consultation

• Throughout September and October 2020, The Australia Council for the Arts will be running a national discussion about future directions for arts and cultural industries: https://mailchi.mp/1ca22a1bb278/creative-connections-two-new-sessions-6045905?e=9b2193c903

Funding and opportunities

• The Carstairs Prize aims to support socially engaged art projects that embrace participatory and collaborative experiences, bring participants into active dialogue with the artist(s) in order to involve audiences beyond the art community:https://visualarts.net.au/nava-grants/?utm_source=MASTER+List+-+Email+Subscribers+%2B+Members&utm_campaign=f077c9882d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_03_05_01_36_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_0001b90ee5-f077c9882d-76756541

Resources

• The recording from Regional Arts Victoria’s Funding Local Project webinar is now available: https://vimeo.com/455340807
• The Regional Australia Institute is running a free webinar on domestic tourism opportunities for regional areas:https://alecto.eomail7.com/web-version?lc=d35a4d37-6c84-11ea-a3d0-06b4694bee2a&p=086bf677-f18e-11ea-a3d0-06b4694bee2a&pt=campaign&t=1599690467&s=702d6ecb412533bc50239f710d85d7fe65611e19d18ed657b7c6181147065b68
• APAM are running a free online session on Performance work for Multigenerational Audiences:https://airtable.com/shrqb1YUH8taJf9Qc?utm_source=APAM+General&utm_campaign=aa36d2c754-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_08_25_11_53_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ed832a7793-aa36d2c754-532637589

Regional Victoria responses

• Arts Mansfield is running the popular Bushy Tales Writing Awards again this year. Entries are invited now for short stories up to 2500 words, and poetry up to 25 verses on the subject of EARTH, WIND, FIRE.... OR COVID: www.artsmansfield.com.au/regular-events/bushy-tales/
• 1300 Roar is all about creating music out of emotion. They want your emotions, your feelings about lockdowns and pandemics. From frustration to grief, from joy to fear. Together with a digital composer, they will turn your emotions into a commissioned piece of music:https://www.creativeballarat.com.au/1300-roar

6 SEPTEMBER, 2020

Policy Updates

• The State Government has presented a pathway to ‘COVID normal’ for workplaces.Regional Arts Victoria and the Arts Industry Council of Victoria have participated in a number of roundtable briefing sessions the last week, and will continue to meet with Government – please don’t hesitate to call or email me if you feel further advice or clarity is needed in your area of work. I will continue to pass on new advice as it becomes available.
• Some information about regional Victoria, including COVIDSafe principles; what the restriction levels mean; and industry breakdowns is available here: https://www.vic.gov.au/industry-restrictions-roadmap-regional-victoria
• Information about metropolitan Victoria is available here: https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-roadmap-metro-melbourne
• A summary of the roadmap to reopening is available here: https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-roadmaps#industry-restrictions-by-region
• Note you can read more about Tourism, culture, entertainment, events, sport and recreation restrictions; as well as community services restrictions at those respective links
• The Premier’s Statement is available here: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/node/22240

Funding and opportunities

• Reminder: Regional Arts Fund ‘Boost – Relief Applications close September 30: http://www.rav.net.au/funding-opportunities/raf-recovery-boost/
• Eligible arts organisations and companies can now apply for the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund and the Arts Sustainability Fund: https://www.arts.gov.au/departmental-news/applications-open-creative-economy-funds
• VicHealth’s new grant round with a funding pool of $2.5 million in funding to support Victorians hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic will open Sep 16: https://vichealth1.secure.force.com/dc/c/qq9q-vQFRKQOAPYiDcK4TLKRjq_yyWJAlVeJGmZhwW7-kN2FEBcYe-ipXAX_dXcm
• Koorie Heritage Trust are calling for applications for an exciting new initiative that provides mentoring in design, production, and small business skills to nurture long-term sustainable design practices: https://koorieheritagetrust.com.au/whats-on/blak-design-2/blak-design/blak-design/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Blak%20Design%202020%20Call%20for%20Applications%20Open%20Now&utm_content=Blak%20Design%202020%20Call%20for%20Applications%20Open%20Now+CID_0bc7b6df6c38d406713cfd0f8f466bba&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=READ%20MORE%20%20APPLY%20HERE
• The Emerging Writers’ Festival At Home Residencies will see four emerging writers spending a fortnight working on their writing craft remotely at home, supported by the Emerging Writers’ Festival: https://emergingwritersfestival.org.au/ewf-at-home-residencies/
• The Flying Fruit Fly Circus are looking for young people aged 8 - 17 to join our elite circus training program in 2021:https://fruitflycircus.com.au/auditions/
• ACMI and The Ian Potter Cultural Trust are calling for submissions from practising Australian artists for the final biennial Ian Potter Moving Image Commission worth $100,000: https://www.movingimagecommission.org.au/the-commissions/ipmic-2022/

 Surveys

• The House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Australia is inquiring into matters concerning Regional Australia, and has a new survey on the views of those living in metropolitan areas on the regions: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RegionalMetroSurvey

 Regional Victoria responses

• Gertrude Opera have announced the 'digital delivery' of the Yarra Valley Opera Festival - v.2.5 online from October 16 - 25, 2020:https://www.gertrudeopera.com.au/
• Castlemaine State Festival is offering a range of COVID-19 relief options at Goods Shed Arts. Expressions of interest are now open for a range of tenancies available including a series of no-cost, ‘try- before-you-buy’ offerings such as free venue hire sessions for the first twenty applications; three free one- week residencies for creative developments and a special offer of one-month free on all 12-month co-working space tenancies. https://castlemainefestival.com.au/goods-shed/covid-relief-offers?fbclid=IwAR3QagdMPF8jz2J3lwQB7KJNCXIoKT3onvhIRhgQs7SjyFMB4B0_voAzuL0
• The G.R.A.I.N. Store's newest photographic exhibition: Art, COVID and Our Story Now runs until October 10: https://thegrainstore.org/