Arts sector wins additional $150m in Covid recovery funding
The arts and entertainment sector is being offered another $125 million to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Queensland Symphony Orchestra musicians perform the Brisbane Lions team song at Kangaroo Point cliffs.
The money will be added to an existing recovery fund for arts businesses and production companies, taking its value to $200 million.
But with one in five arts workers still on JobKeeper payments, there are still grave fears about what will happen when the wage subsidy scheme ends on Sunday.
Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said the grant package was aimed at getting shows back on the road.
“We want to see our performers and creators on stage, we want to see jobs for the backstage crews, we want to see front of house,” he said on Thursday.
“All of that depends upon, and can be stimulated and supported by, this funding.”
The fund guidelines will also be changed to allow more support for smaller organisations, venues and artistic groups.
Fletcher said the changes were aimed at helping the music industry, which has been crying out for more help in the face of venue capacity limits and touring restrictions.
“Theatre is on the road back but the music sector is lagging somewhat behind,” he said.
One of the major changes is reducing the minimum grant size under the program from $75,000 to $25,000.
