Perth Festival supports Live Performance Australia’s call for immediate economic stimulus

Perth Festival are supporting the Live Performance Australia’s calls for an immediate and targeted economic stimulus from government as the entire arts and culture ecosystem is facing devastating challenges.

Employees, artists, producers and many more people in the supply chain who rely on the creative industries for their income are being severely impacted.

Perth Festival was able to deliver the majority of their program earlier this year but share that they are “painfully aware that others across Australia will not be so fortunate.

“The unfolding impact is potentially catastrophic for independent artists and producers who were already managing unprecedented levels of financial uncertainty. They are the storytellers of our past and our present and our dreamers for the future - we cannot afford to lose them.

“Some of the most immediate impacts are on people who work behind the scenes to bring you gigs, shows and festivals - an army of casual workers in production and technical crews and venue staff. The impact on their families and communities is very real.

“Perth Festival has implemented remote working arrangements for all staff. By being proactive and taking measures beyond the government’s current mandate we hope to assist the most vulnerable people in the community.”

Perth Festival have highlighted that If you have a ticket for a cancelled event - to please consider donating the value of that ticket back to an arts organisation or an artist if you can afford to.

They are also requesting that details of cancelled gigs be listed at ilostmygig.net.au so that the industry can quantify the growing impact.

Click here for more information on Live Performance Australia’s call for immediate economic stimulus

Image: Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Bennelong. Credit Daniel Boud