Sector response to
COVID-19
Current information
COVID-19 related announcements
- 30 March 2022 – Connecting communities for a stronger future –The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 25 March 2022 – RISE comes back for a $20 million encore –The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 18 January 2022 – $5.5 million to enhance regional and remote performing arts tours – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 21 December 2021 – $19.5 million boost for Australia’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 16 December 2021 – $9 million reallocated to the COVID-19 Arts Sustainability Fund – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 10 December 2021 – $6.2 million to sustain leading arts organisations – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 8 December 2021 – Indigenous Contemporary Music Program grants now open – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 26 November 2021 – Supporting the return of Australian live music – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 12 November 2021 – The arts and cultural sector set to stimulate regional tourism – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 15 October 2021 – Reigniting live music for Australian communities – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 14 October 2021 – $6.5 million to sustain two leading arts organisations – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 13 September 2021 – $5 million to keep Melbourne Theatre Company on stage – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 6 September 2021 – $20 million to support Australia’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 31 August 2021 – $5.5 million lifeline to sustain three leading arts organisations – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 10 August 2021 – $35 million additional support for arts workers and companies – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 30 July 2021 – $40 million boost for Australia’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 28 July 2021 – Victorian business support package – Joint media release with The Hon. Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister, The Hon. Daniel Andrews MP Premier of Victoria and The Hon. Tim Pallas MP Treasurer of Victoria.
- 28 July 2021 – NSW business support package expansion – Joint media release with The Hon. Scott Morrison MP
- Prime Minister and The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP Treasurer.
- 28 July 2021 – COVID-19 Disaster Support Payment boosted – Joint media release with The Hon. Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister, Senator the Hon. Bridget McKenzie Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon. Anne Ruston Minister for Families and Social Services and Senator the Hon. Linda Reynolds Minister for Government Services.
- 14 July 2021 – Lifeline for performing arts and live music – The Hon. Don Harwin MLC, Special Minister of State
- 13 July 2021 – NSW COVID-19 Support Package – Joint media release with The Hon. Scott Morrison MP Prime Minister The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP Premier of New South Wales The Hon. Dominic Perrottet Treasurer of New South Wales
- 11 June 2021 – Broadening the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 2 June 2021 – Greater access to arts and cultural exhibitions for regional Australia – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 19 May 2021 – Leading arts organisations get second act with emergency funding – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 11 May 2021 – Australia’s communications, media and arts sectors helping secure our recovery – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 7 May 2021 – An extra $25 million for Australia’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 29 April 2021 – Culture and live music to be reignited in regional Australia – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 20 April 2021 – Regional touring takes centre-stage in $5 million performing arts boost – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 8 April 2021 – Sydney Institute Address: ‘Why do we fund the arts?’ – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 5 April 2021 – Funding boost for Tasmania’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 5 April 2021 – Funding boost for South Australia’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 5 April 2021 – Support for Northern Territory’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 1 April 2021 – An extra $2 million for Queensland’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 1 April 2021 – More than $4.8 million for NSW’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 1 April 2021 – Western Australia’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 30 March 2021 – An extra $5 million for Victoria’s creative sector to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 25 March 2021 – An extra $135 million to help Australia’s creative sector rise – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 11 March 2021 – Sustainability funding flows to support arts organisations – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 26 February 2021 – Entries open for Prime Minister’s Literary Awards – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 21 January 2021 – Sustainability funding will support Australian arts organisations – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 15 January 2021 – Funding flows for touring Australian Arts performers – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 23 December 2020 – Funding set to support regional arts across Australia – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 21 December 2020 – Arts sector in Western Australia set to rise – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 19 December 2020 – Arts sector in Queensland set to rise – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 14 December 2020 – Arts sector in Tasmania set to rise – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 5 December 2020 – Arts sector in South Australia set to rise – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 23 November 2020 – Arts sector in Victoria set to RISE – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 20 November 2020 – $60 million in RISE grants to restart arts and entertainment activity around Australia – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 6 October 2020 – Additional support to strengthen Australia’s communications, media and creative sectors – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 22 August 2020 – New taskforce to steer the arts to recovery – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts
- 25 June 2020 – $250 million JobMaker plan to restart Australia’s creative economy – The Hon Paul Fletcher MP, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts.
Find more information about all the available support measures.
Access the resourcesThis paper outlines the immediate and longer term needs of the cultural and creative industries pertaining to the JobKeeper program. While JobKeeper will have a significant benefit, in its current form it will not support a large proportion of the creative workforce. This is due to the specific nature of the cultural and creative industries which are characterised by extremely high levels of casualisation and freelancing. Support for these small businesses, sole traders and our creative economy is vital. Our sector will be essential in helping to rebuild communities and navigate Australia’s path out of the crisis.
- Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) statement on the safe return of crowds to stadiums, arenas and large theatres
- Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) statement on the review of physical distancing and person density restrictions
- Select Committee on COVID-19 inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, June 2020
- National Assistance Program for the Arts
- Live performance Australia – live performance and COVID-19
- Dark Mofo statement
- Billboard – list of cancelled concerts
- Artshub – COVID-19 cancels major events across Australia
- APAM statement
Australia, take your seats
We are encouraging Australians to #TakeYourSeats to get vaccinated and support the reopening of our cultural and creative venues and events.
We all want to welcome audiences, artists, and creative workers back safely and bring the vibrancy of live performances, exhibitions, festivals and cultural events back to our communities, cities and regions. To do this though, we need to keep the momentum building towards the vaccination targets set out in the national plan – so that we can reopen and stay open.
Learn moreRe-imagine: What next?
The COVID-19 pandemic has completely disrupted the arts and cultural industries. The pandemic has illuminated pressures we were already feeling. It is bringing to light aspects of our industry many have long wanted to change, along with new issues we are now being forced to address.
Future disruptions are inevitable, and the arts and cultural industries must rapidly adjust to ensure they don’t just survive but thrive in the future.
We have heard from many artists, cultural practitioners and organisations through industry roundtables, surveys, informal conversations and focus groups. We have heard from you as you deal with and respond to the immediate crisis, and whilst you consider how to start thinking productively about the future.
LEARN MORECreating Our Future: Results of the National Arts Participation Survey
Creating Our Future: Results of the National Arts Participation Survey is the fourth study in the landmark research series that explores Australians’ engagement with and attitudes towards the arts.
The National Arts Participation Survey asks how Australians are engaging with arts and creativity in our daily lives. How do Australians feel about arts and creativity? How is our arts engagement changing? Do we recognise the impacts of arts and creativity in our lives and communities? How do Australians feel about public funding for the arts?
LEARN MORECreating Art Part 1: The makers’ view of pathways for First Nations theatre and dance
Creating Art Part 1: The makers’ view of pathways for First Nations theatre and dance is the latest study in a series commissioned by the Australia Council with the aim of supporting the First Nations arts sector to connect more Australians to First Nations arts experiences and grow opportunities for First Nations artists.
Conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the research provides vital insights that can inform the recovery and future sustainability of the First Nations arts ecology.
Based on in-depth interviews with 45 dance and theatre makers, Creating Art Part 1 explores First Nations artists’ experiences realising work; maps pathways for works; and highlights opportunities, challenges and calls to action.
LEARN MORE