Creative Victoria launches new grant program to help music venues during lockdown

With Metropolitan Melbourne set to return to Level 3 lockdown, Creative Victoria has launched a new grant program to aid live music venues.

With Victoria struggling to contain a surge in Coronavirus cases linked to poor security protocols at two Melbourne hotels being used a quarantine facilities for returning overseas travellers - venues, galleries, museums and other cultural businesses in the metropolitan area will again be locked down.

Advising of the new bid to contain Coronavirus outbreak, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews today advised “I know just how tough this will be for these businesses and for their workers. I promise, we’ll have more to say shortly about support to help get you through.

“I also understand six weeks might feel like an eternity. But it’s the time our health experts tell us they need to really get on top of this thing.”

Prior to the lockdown announcement, Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, Martin Foley, said venues with a capacity between 50 and 1,200 people are eligible to apply for funding from the Victorian Live Music Venues Program.

The Program, which is open for applications through the Creative Victoria agency from 16th July until 6th August will see venues able to access $15 million in grants to support their survival.

Welcoming the funding, Clive Miller, Chief Executive of music industry charity Support Act, stated “we are encouraged by the recent announcement by the Victorian Government on their package to support live music venues through this crisis.

“The reality is that the current state of our industry will not survive without government intervention. This is particularly the case when you consider the uncertain future of live music. From Support Act’s perspective, any form of assistance to help those working in music is thoroughly welcomed and should be applauded.”

Other economic support measures rolled out amid the pandemic to help impacted individuals, businesses and organisations include $26.3 million for Victoria’s state-owned arts and cultural institutions - including NGV, Arts Centre Melbourne, Museums Victoria, Geelong Arts Centre and Melbourne Recital Centre, as well as $13 million for almost 100 non-government arts and cultural organisations across the state.

The targeted funding complements broader Victorian Government initiatives including the $500 million Business Support Fund, which is providing vital support to impacted businesses, including in the creative industries; and the Working for Victoria scheme which is helping those who are out of work to secure alternative employment.

Image: Concert at Melbourne's Festival Hall.