NSW Government commits $50 million package to under-pressure arts sector

The NSW Government has announced a $50 million rescue and restart package for NSW arts and cultural organisations to ensure the sector continues to make an important contribution to the NSW economy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stung by criticism of its inaction during the Coronavirus crisis, the Rescue and Restart package is intended to support arts and cultural organisations across NSW.

In a statement announcing the funding, the NSW Government advised “we recognise the important contribution the arts and cultural sector makes to the NSW economy, as well as to the community’s wellbeing, particularly during challenging times.

“The Rescue and Restart package is designed to assist NSW arts and cultural organisations to hibernate now, so they are in a position to restart operations when health guidelines permit.”

The Rescue and Restart package will be delivered in two stages:

• Funding available now to enable NSW not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations to hibernate temporarily.
• Funding available in the coming months to enable NSW not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations to restart operations after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding will be available to NSW not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations across the State on a case by case basis.

Click here for more information.

Image: The Belvoir Theatre's production of Counting and Cracking.