Support Act reports $1.2 million in MusicKeeper, CrewKeeper grants

Support Act has reported more than 600 applications to its new MusicKeeper and CrewKeeper cash grants since announcing the program back in March.

The grants, which range between $2,000 and $2,700 are available to industry workers who continue to be financially impacted by the pandemic. The program was supported by the federal government’s Office for the Arts.

Payouts to grant recipients are expected to surpass $1.2million. Support Act CEO Clive Miller said while the organisation is pleased with the number of applications so far, it continues to hear that “some people feel embarrassed or not worthy enough to apply”.

“While this is completely understandable, we want to remind all music workers that the pandemic has impacted almost everyone working in live music, and there is absolutely no shame in reaching out for help,” he said in a statement.

“We have worked hard to make the application process as easy as possible and our social workers are available to provide support to anyone who needs it.”

In one testimonial, Bachelor Girl frontwoman Tania Doko praised the program and encouraged others to submit applications.

“I felt that I was undeserving or that perhaps I wasn’t ‘as vulnerable’ as others may be,” she said, “It was fantastic to talk to Support Act’s social workers and to feel heard as a family, particularly challenged by our untimely move from Stockholm to Melbourne during an already turbulent 2020, for the sake of my Swedish husband’s Partner Visa.”

The charity recently received government funding that would ensure a number of its mental health and wellbeing programs, including the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline, Manager Support Hotline and First Nations Dedicated Helpline, would continue.