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

Posted in Communities on 23/Mar/2020 02:39

3 APRIL, 2020

Funding and Other Support

1 APRIL, 2020

Funding and Other Support

 

 Other Resources

27 MARCH, 2020

Funding and Other Support

25 MARCH, 2020

National Update

  • National organisations have been meeting with the Federal Minister and Opposition Spokesperson for the arts these last two days to share information about what gaps remain after the initial whole-of-government announcements.
  • The Arts Industry Council Victoria has also been meeting weekly with our interstate colleagues to ensure measures across different States are understood. A number of states, including Queensland, SA and the ACT have now announced arts support packages.

Victorian Update

  • The Arts Industry Council of Victoria is now meeting weekly to share support and responses across our organisation.

Resources

 

Data Collection

 

23 MARCH, 2020


Second National Economic Stimulus Package

There are a number of measures included in the $66 billion package announced by the Prime Minister today that may be of direct relevance to you and your organisation or community:

1. For individuals, sole traders and households:

a. the Government is temporarily expanding eligibility to income support payments and establishing a new, time-limited Coronavirus supplement to be paid at a rate of $550 per fortnight.  This will be paid to both existing and new recipients of the JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance jobseeker, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit

b. providing a further $750 payment to social security and veteran income support recipients and eligible concession card holders, except for those who are receiving an income support payment that is eligible to receive the Coronavirus supplement

c. the Government will allow individuals in financial stress as a result of the Coronavirus to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21

d. More information is available at: https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/coronavirus-information-and-support.

2. For small-medium business and not-for-profits, the Government is providing up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium sized businesses, and not‑for-profits (including charities) that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000. There is also a loan guarantee scheme made available. More information is available at: https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

You can read the full statement from the Prime Minister at: https://www.pm.gov.au/media/supporting-australian-workers-and-business

Similar to the Victorian announcement yesterday, these are not arts-only, or arts-specific measures at this stage, but they still may be of benefit or interest to you right now. Regional Arts Victoria, with a number of other arts organisations, continues to work with State and Federal Government on future targeted announcements.

Peak Body Reponses to National Stimulus

 

Victorian Government Update

  • The Victorian Government has advised that from today  “…Victoria will proceed over the next 48 hours to implement a shutdown of all non-essential activity across our state to combat the spread of Coronavirus.” There is some limited additional detail in this Statement from the Premier: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/statement-from-the-premier-32/
  • Expect more detail on this to follow in the media, particular on definitions of ‘essential.’

  

Victorian Economic Survival Package

There are a number of measures included in the Victorian Government’s first economic package you may like to follow-up in further detail, or pass on to members of your community:

3. $500 million Business Support Fund. To register interest in updates, head here: https://bit.ly/2QF2HIi  

4. $500 million support package for workers: Working for Victoria fund. More information available here: https://www.vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria

These are not arts-only, or arts-specific measures at this stage, but they still may be of benefit or interest to you right now.

You can read the full statement for the Premier at: https://bit.ly/2Uu5zJu

National Update

 

Additional advice

  • VECCI have confirmed that “both the Morrison and Andrews Governments are expected to announce major business rescue packages this weekend”: https://bit.ly/2Jb8L7m

 

Stimulus and Campaigns

  • The music industry have launched Sound of Silence: https://thesoundofsilence.com.au/
  • NAVA has a campaign toolkit: https://bit.ly/3ahHdsQ 
  • PAC Australia released this: https://bit.ly/2WHgPET 

22 MARCH, 2020

National Update

 

Victorian Update

  • The Arts Industry Council Victoria also held a Victorian meeting Friday 20 March. Regional Arts Victoria is a Member of this group and we’re working with the other state-level peak bodies (such as Theatre Network Australia, Multicultural Arts Victoria etc.) to share information to and between each of our Member groups.
  • The Victorian Chamber of Commerce is offering support and advice for businesses both in bushfire recovery and COVID-19 impacts: https://www.victorianchamber.com.au/

 

Data Collection

There are now a number of new specific industry surveys live since the last email:

 

Arts Pages

 

Information and Support Networks

  • A number of services exist if you're struggling including Support Act: 1800 959 500
  • A Facebook Group for Australian Arts amidst COVID-19 has been established for information sharing: https://bit.ly/3aiO1Xi

19 MARCH, 2020

Stimulus Calls

 

National Update

 

Victorian Update

18 MARCH, 2020


National Updates

  • Federal Minister for the Arts Paul Fletcher hosted an initial roundtable with the creative sector on March 17. You can read the Minister’s response to this event here: https://bit.ly/2UetVbe 
  • You can read the response to the meeting from NAVA here: https://bit.ly/2WES38y 
  • You  can read the response to the meeting from LPA here: https://bit.ly/33EC9we
  • Australia Council CEO Adrian Collette was present and spoke about the meeting on Radio National: https://ab.co/2xjPu0S
  • Our national body Regional Arts Australia was among those groups present at this national meeting, and is ensuring relevant regional information is being communicated.
  • A special Meeting of Cultural Ministers has been convened for March 19 for state and national arts and culture ministers to coordinate responses.

 

Victorian Update

  • Creative Victoria and the Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley are briefing, and working with, Victorian organisations including Regional Arts Victoria.
  • The Arts Industry Council of Victoria (https://aicv.org.au/) will meet this Friday, giving Regional Arts Victoria the opportunity to work with other peak bodies in Victoria on responses and information sharing.

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.