Federal Government announces guidelines on live music restart funding

The Federal Government has unveiled details of its $75 million fund to help “reactivate” the arts and entertainment sector, simultaneously launching round one of its Live Music Australia program, drawn up to support live music venues and encourage performers and patrons to again engage with live performance.

Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher today published guidelines for the $75 million Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund, part of the long awaited $250 million COVID-19 Creative Economy Support Package for the creative economy, first announced on 25th June.

Announced following months of negotiations on a bailout with the music industry, Minister Fletcher today advised “we’re moving ahead with our $250 million Jobmaker plan for Australia’s creative economy.”.

The RISE fund is meant to supply seed funding to arts organisations, companies and promoters to fund new shows with grants of between $75,000 and $2 million made available which Minister Fletcher (pictured below) says “will allow the arts sector (to) reactivate, re-imagine and create new cultural experiences, including innovative operating and digital delivery models.

“This will help keep artists, performers, roadies, front of house staff and all those who work behind the scenes employed.”

The RISE and the previously-announced $35 million Arts Sustainability Fund will open from 31st August with applications invited until 5pm AEST on 31st May 2021.

Today has also seen the Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRDC) launch round one of the $20 million Live Music Australia program, which will provide $5 million annually over four years, with each of the two rounds per year providing $2.5 million.

Introducing the program, Minister Fletcher advised there will be a “particular focus on small to medium-sized venues which provide professional staging for quality original Australian live music both to support emerging talent and provide established musicians a setting to reconnect with their fans.”

The program, part of the Government’s $30.9 million Australian Music Industry Package, unveiled in March 2019, will, according to a DITRDC statement help venues “bring back the music”.

Minister Fletcher went on to say “along with many Australians, I can’t wait to see our musos back on stage doing their thing.

“This country has long had a vibrant live music scene and we want it back as soon as public health requirements allow.”

Confirmation of the funding follows the publication of an Open Letter on 10th June signed by over 1,200 artists, professionals, businesses in the music industry calling on the Federal Government to provide a financial lifeline.

For more information about Live Music Australia visit arts.gov.au/contemporary-music and to apply for Live Music Australia funding go to arts.gov.au/funding-and-support/live-music-australia.

Applications close at 11.59pm AEST on 13th September 2020.

To find out more visit www.arts.gov.au/covid-19-update.