Fed Govt Details Grants To Restart Festivals As It Unveils JobMaker Arts Funding

The Federal Government has today unveiled the first guidelines as part of the JobMaker arts funding program.  

Included in today's announcement is the $75 million RISE Fund (Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand) which aims to "reactivate the arts and entertainment sector following the impacts of COVID-19" and the $35 million Arts Sustainability Fund which is set to "provide direct financial assistance to support Commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations facing threats to their viability due to COVID-19". 

“The RISE Fund will provide grants of between $75,000 and $2 million to help restart activities such as festivals, concerts, tours and events once it is safe to do so,” said Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher in a statement today. 

"The grants will allow the arts sector 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.”

"I encourage eligible organisations across Australia to familiarise themselves with the RISE Fund guidelines ahead of applications opening later this month to help bring arts and entertainment back to Australian audiences."

"The Arts Sustainability Fund will provide targeted support to sector-significant organisations across areas such as theatre, dance, circus, music and other fields which are facing immediate threats to their continuing financial viability,” he continued.

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"Australia’s creative and cultural sector is an important component of Australia’s economy, generating $112 billion a year and stimulating activity in adjacent sectors such as tourism and hospitality. Having a strong creative and cultural sector will be important in rebuilding the economy following COVID-19."

The announcement comes just days after Fletcher and the Morrison Government faced criticism from Shadow Minister for the Arts Tony Burke for lengthy delays in revealing details of the JobMaker program. 

"Stephen Arnott from the Office of the Arts has confirmed his team has submitted the draft guidelines for the grants and loans programs to Minister Fletcher – but the Minister still has not approved them," read the statement from Burke. 

"While the sector is desperately waiting for help the guidelines are sitting on the minister’s desk just waiting for his signature. Under Labor questioning at the COVID-19 committee, Mr Arnott also said that once the Minister does approve the guidelines it will take another eight to 12 weeks until money finally starts flowing."

Applications for the RISE and Arts Sustainability funds are set to open on 31 August and will remain open until 31 May 2021. 

Further information and guidelines can be viewed here.