Govt announces $75m RISE fund & $20m Live Music Australia program
The Morrison Govermnent’s $75 million Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund is set to provide seed funding for arts organisations, companies and promoters to fund new events, activities and productions.
A part of the Government’s $250m JobMaker plan, guidelines for the RISE Fund have been released, with a view to help reactivate the arts and entertainment sector following the impacts of COVID-19.
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said festivals and tours will be among those eligible events.
“The RISE Fund will provide grants of between $75,000 and $2 million to help restart activities… once it is safe to do so,” he said.
“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 RISE Fund has been announced in conjunction with a new Arts Sustainability fund, which will have a focus on areas such as “theatre, dance, circus, music and other fields which are facing immediate threats to their continuing financial viability.”
“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.”
More information on both funds available at arts.gov.au.
Paul Fletcher
The RISE Fund guidelines have been announced off the back of the $20 million Live Music Australia grant program, with the Morrison Government opening applications today (August 11).
The program aims to bring more home-grown music to Australian stages, and Live Music Australia will deliver $5 million annually over four years.
“This program will help the live music scene to adapt in this changing environment by supporting venues to host gigs, performances and tours of local talent as restrictions ease,” said Minister Fletcher.
Live Music Australia will have 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,” said Fletcher.
“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!”
More information on the Live Music Australia program available here.