NSW offered $75 million lifeline for performing arts and live music sector

The NSW Government has announced a $75 million stimulus package to assist music venues and arts organisations impacted by the state’s latest round of lockdowns.

The funding provide loss of income payments to select not-for-profit and commercial arts organisations, as well as live music businesses that have been impacted by show cancellations due to current COVID-19 restrictions.

According to Create NSW, the stimulus package will be delivered in two stages, with immediate support available to eligible organisations who were to stage performances during lockdown and later funding being granted to eligible businesses to reschedule performances after restrictions have eased.

Eligible applicants include organisations that depend heavily on box office income, as well as some live music venues and commercial producers.

Each applicant will be required to provide evidence of scheduled performances, as well as what venue they were to be held in and the average ticket price for the corresponding event.

Applications for the stimulus package will open on Friday, July 23 via the Service NSW website.

A representative from Create NSW has been contacted by The Music Network for further clarification on which venues will be eligible to apply for the stimulus.