CONTENT COURTESY SUPPORT ACT
Music industry charity, Support Act, has today announced that its COVID-19 Crisis Relief Grants are now open to applications for performing arts workers via the website – supportact.org.au/get-help/
These one-off cash grants are valued at $2,000 for individuals and $2,700 for families with dependent children and are available to anyone working professionally in the performing arts, provided they meet a set criteria.
These grants are in addition to the grants that are currently available to music workers.
The inclusion of performing arts workers into the Support Act Crisis Relief program has been made possible following the announcement on 10 August of an additional $20 million in funding by the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts.
To be eligible for a COVID-19 Crisis Relief Grant, performing arts workers must:
- be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or have a valid working visa
- prove that they have been working professionally in the performing arts industry for three years
- provide names and details of two professional referees
- have household expenses greater than their household income
Performing arts workers eligible for this grant include performing artists and creatives; production and technical crew; management and administration. A list of included occupations is available on the FAQ page of the website.
“All live music and performing arts workers are feeling the impact of the current lockdowns and restrictions,” says Clive Miller, CEO of Support Act. “We are grateful to the Australian Government for providing us with these urgently needed funds to help ease the financial burden that so many music and performing arts workers are experiencing.”
A specially created reference group has been set up to advise on outreach to the performing arts sector including leading industry bodies Theatre Network Australia, The Arts Wellbeing Collective, The Alliance of Australasian Performing Arts Benevolent Funds and Live Performance Australia.
Nicole Beyer, CEO of Theatre Network Australia, adds: “There are thousands of performing arts workers who will benefit from a COVID-19 Crisis Relief Grant, whether they work as performers, creatives, crew or in administrative or producing roles.
“These grants provide a way for the devastated industry to survive as we get through these difficult months ahead. We all want to look ahead to a time when we can experience the thrill of live performing arts again across Australia, and these grants will help us get there.”
The COVID-19 Crisis Relief Grants application form for Performing Arts Workers, as well as other help and resources, FAQs and eligibility criteria, can be found on the Support Act website – supportact.org.au/get-help/
Support Act’s Wellbeing Helpline is also available to anyone working in the performing arts who needs someone to talk to and can be accessed by calling 1800 959 500.
