COVID-19

Newcastle Museum. Image: courtesy the museum.

Newcastle Museum. Image: courtesy the museum.

COVID-19 has significantly impacted the arts, screen and culture sectors in NSW. To minimise the effects of the pandemic, the NSW Government is providing funding and support to practitioners and organisations across the State.

On this page, you will find links to resources on news updates, grants, and financial assistance from the NSW Government and the Australian Government, and a link to Create NSW resources on how to operate safely during COVID-19. You will also find links to other helpful websites and material from a range of other sites, including those concerning mental health and crisis management.

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Latest news

NSW Government COVID-19 support for arts, screen and culture

To support NSW’s arts, screen and cultural sectors during COVID-19, the NSW Government is providing targeted funding programs, including:

NSW Government COVID-19 economic support

NSW Government has a range of general response measures to help businesses, organisations and individuals.

Federal Government COVID-19 support for arts, screen and culture in Australia

The Australian Government announced a $250 million package on 25 June 2020 to support artists and organisations to get back in business following the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Learn more about the Federal Government’s COVID-19 support for arts, screen and culture in Australia.

COVID-19 safety rules and guidance for arts, screen and culture in NSW

Guidance on NSW Public Health Orders affecting the arts, screen and culture sectors in NSW and how to safely reopen and operate during COVID-19.

Useful resources

General advice and support

Mental health resources

  • Lifeline 13 11 14
  • Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
  • Support Act 1800 052 690. A charity delivering crisis relief services to artists, crew and music workers that impacts their ability to work including mental health resources through their wellbeing helpline
  • Free mental health webinars for Australian entertainment industry workers from Entertainment Assist

Crisis management

Financial assistance

The Australian Banking Association has outlined 3 key stages to repayments for eligible business owners who continue to experience financial difficulty as a result of COVID-19. This includes options to pay in full, make partial payments or access further hardship assistance. Customers will need to contact their financial institutions to discuss the options available to them.

  • With the continued support of the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts, Support Act is now offering COVID Cash Crisis Relief Grants. These one off cash grants of $2,000 ($2,700 for families with dependent children) are intended to cushion the blow for artists, artist managers, crew and music workers from all genres who were receiving Jobkeeper and Jobseeker payments throughout 2020/21 and who remain largely unable to earn income due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
  • The Actors Benevolent Fund of NSW is able to offer small measures to help relieve pressure for members of the performing arts community during the COVID-19 crisis.

More information

Do you require additional help or have any questions about this page?

Image: Newcastle Museum. Image courtesy the museum.