Government pledges $35 million additional support for the arts sector

The Morrison government is broadening support to the music and arts industries by pledging an additional $35 million as the sector struggles under COVID restrictions.

“COVID has been tough for the arts and entertainment sector,” Communications, Urban Infrastructure and the Arts Minister Paul Fletcher told Sky News Australia.

“It’s meant performances cancelled, venues closed, artists losing their gigs, and that’s been the case for obviously much of last year.

“First half of this year we saw a lot of activity back on stage, the opening of Hamilton in Sydney for example, stage shows around the country, but the most recent lockdowns are creating further challenges.

“That’s why we’re committing a further $35 million. That’s $20 million going to Support Act, the well-respected music charity.

“And they’re going to be using that to provide direct emergency relief, to people not just in the music sector, but the broader arts sector. It’s a very effective frontline way of getting assistance to people in the sector who have been hard by work not being available.

“And then also $15 million additional for our Sustainability Fund. This is a fund designed to support systemically significant arts companies and organisations to get through the pandemic and still be there on the other side.”

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