The Australia Council has welcomed the announcement of an industry specific support package for the cultural and creative industries.
“This is a welcome investment in some of the industries hardest hit by the impacts of COVID-19” said CEO Adrian Collette AM.
“An investment in the arts is a smart investment in recovery: creativity-led productivity fuels our economy and our social fabric. Arts and culture are major drivers for tourism, both domestic and international. They boost the hospitality sector. They underpin the vitality of our cities and regions, and the perception of Australia internationally.”
Today’s announcement comprises four components:
- $75 million in competitive grants of between $75,000 and $2 million for production and event businesses to put on new festivals, concerts, tours and events as social distancing restrictions ease
- $90 million in Commonwealth-guaranteed concessional bank loans to fund new productions and events
- $50 million in grants dedicated to a temporary interruption fund, set to be administered by Screen Australia and designed to help local film and television producers secure finance and restart filming and production
- $35 million will be spent on direct grants to Commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations facing threats to their viability because of the pandemic disruption.
Mr Collette will join a newly established creative economy taskforce that will work closely with government to provide advice on the investments within the support package.
“This is welcome and much needed support for the creative industry that has been devastated by the necessary restrictions on public gatherings. We acknowledge and welcome this commitment, in addition to the whole of government programs including the JobKeeper and JobSeeker legislation.”
“We will continue to do all we can to work collaboratively with the Office for the Arts to provide advice to the Minister, now and into the future,” he said.
