Australia Council response to COVID-19
Resilience Fund, Communiques And Australia Council First Response
The Australia Council announced its first Response Package to support artists, arts practitioners, arts groups and arts organisations coping with the impact of COVID-19 on 9 April 2020.
Announcements and Media
- Australia Council welcomes additional support for creative sector
- A communique from our CEO
- First Nations Contemporary Music receives crucial investment
- Re-activate: beyond step three – a new resource to support COVID-19 recovery
- The Australia Council is announcing details of its investment opportunities for individuals and organisations
- Australia Council welcomes government’s $250 million creative support package. Media release. 25 June 2020.
- Select Committee on COVID-19 inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, June 2020
- Arts crucial to sound rebound from coronavirus by Adrian Collette: Op-ed published in The Australian
- Will our arts industry have the same support it had pre-COVID?: Adrian Collette interview at ABC’s RN Drive
- Australia Council welcomes support package for the arts
- Australia Council announces new resilience fund and reopens arts and disability mentorships
- A communique from our CEO: 25 March 2020
- A communique from our CEO: 16 March 2020
Australia Council response package
- Australia Council response
- Resilience Fund
- Reporting and grant relief
- First Nations’ Roundtable: online roundtables
- Creative Connections: Online webinar series
- Think Inside the Square: Digital online webinar series
- Arts and creative industry: digital support facebook group
- Research and analysis
Australia Council’s approach to Sector Recovery
The Australia Council recognises the impact COVID-19 has had on the cultural and creative sectors. This has had an immense flow on effect for the broader community and economy.
As our sector grapples with the immediate effects of this unprecedented disruption we must also begin to turn our minds to the future, in all its uncertainty, and imagine what that might look like, and what we want it to look like: its challenges and opportunities, and how we can plan for the cultivation of a strong and vibrant ecology.
A creative-led recovery will be essential for Australia. A natural source of innovation and collaboration, our creative sector will be essential in helping to rebuild communities and our economy and navigating Australia’s path out of the crisis.
The newly formed Sector Development team, along with the whole of Australia Council, is focused on working with the sector to develop tools, strategies, advocacy capabilities and approaches for the issues, challenges and opportunities ahead of us. Our work encompasses sector recovery along with capacity building, mobility and exchange, responding to and leading in current trends along with specific artform conversations and requirements.
Head of Sector Development
Jade Lillie
A guide to assistance and support for artists and organisations impacted by COVID-19, as well as links to the latest health, travel, business and community information from Australian governments.
Commonwealth Government
- Australia Council for the Arts
- Creative Economy Jobmaker Package – Office for the Arts
- Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund
- Show Starter Loan Scheme
- Temporary Interruption Fund
- Sustainability Fund
- Creative Economy Taskforce
- Australian Government COVID-19 Information
- Health, business, financial support, support for communities, international and travel
NSW
- Grants and assistance from NSW Government and information on COVID-safe operations – Create NSW
- NSW Government COVID-19 information
Victoria
- Restrictions summary, financial support and industry information – Creative Victoria
- Victorian Government COVID-19 information
Queensland
- Arts and Cultural Recovery package for COVID-19 – Arts Queensland
- Queensland Government COVID-19 information
Western Australia
- Arts funding and investment programs – Department of Local Government, Sport & Cultural Industries
- WA Government COVID-19 information
South Australia
Tasmania
Australian Capital Territory
Northern Territory
Re-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 MOREAustralia Council for the Arts submission
Select Committee on COVID-19 inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Date: June 2020
This submission outlines:
- the impacts of COVID-19 on Australia’s cultural and creative industries and
- the measures taken by the Australia Council for the Arts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join the arts and creative industries digital support Facebook group
This group was created to support the arts community in the digital space.
We are seeing incredible feats to stay connected in this time especially when there are many conversations and questions around digital solutions to sharing our content.
This is an ever-evolving group designed to empower the community.
LEARN MORERe-imagine: Sector Recovery Initiatives – applications are now closed
$2m will be invested in sector-led initiatives to support the recovery of Australia’s cultural and creative industries.
The Re-imagine: Sector Recovery Initiatives fund is offered in acknowledgement of the significant forces of change and evolution facing the cultural and creative industries. This investment will support the sector to re-imagine practice and operations, and test ideas and models for a more resilient, equitable and thriving future.
The Re-imagine: Sector Recovery Initiatives are a direct response to the disruptions and challenges experienced by the cultural and creative industries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been informed by conversations throughout the Re-imagine: What next? consultation (September to October 2020).
Applications are now closed.
LEARN MORESurvey for First Nations Music Artists
How do First Nations musicians feel about the music industry? What is working? What could be improved on in the music business in relation to their cultural practice and community responsibilities?
First Nations music plays a vital role in Australia’s music identity. At this critical time, it is essential that the voices of First Nation musicians – custodians of the oldest musical practice in the world – are at the centre of dialogue and decision-making to ensure opportunities for the sector continue to grow and thrive, so the next generation can participate in a cultural future.
The results of the Survey of First Nations Music Artists provide much needed insights into the strengths, challenges and needs of the sector. The responses gathered can provide insights to inform the music industry as it recovers, rebuilds and looks to the future – a future in which First Nations talent and artistry is nurtured, celebrated and central in the music industry and Australia’s culture.
LEARN MORE