COVID-19 Support
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 the latest updates from Create NSW on COVID-19, links to resources on grants, and financial assistance from the NSW Government and the Australian Government, and a link to our webpage 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.
Jump to a section
- Latest news
- NSW Government COVID-19 support for arts, screen and culture
- NSW Government COVID-19 economic support for the State
- Federal Government COVID-19 support for arts, screen and culture in Australia
- COVID-19 safety rules and guidance for arts, screen and culture in NSW
- Helpful resources
Latest news
Increased capacity for outdoors events announced
The NSW Government has announced increased capacity for outdoors singing, carols and other outdoor events such as concerts from 23 November 2020. Read more about the changes.
Rescue and Restart
In major step towards recovery, the arts and culture sector will soon receive $30.1 million through the second stage of the NSW Government’s Rescue and Restart package.
Stage 2 of the Rescue and Restart package will help the recovery of over 160 companies, including significant investment for 60 organisations across regional NSW, with more than $24.2 million in funding to immediately kickstart their programs. Read about the changes in more detail.
Changes to Live Music Regulations
Amendments to the Liquor Act, Planning Act, Local Government Act and the Building Code will change the way live music and entertainment is regulated in NSW and mitigate some of the effects of COVID-19 restrictions. The aim is to increase live music and entertainment events across the State with changes such as:
- removing the current regulations on music type, the number and type instruments, and the number of musicians allowed in venues
- providing new incentives for live music and cultural events – such as licence discounts and extended trading hours for some venues – will be introduced
- allowing for cultural and entertainments precincts that foster live music and cultural activity
- providing an easier process for people to create small bars, live music and small art spaces
- allowing local councils to regulate entertainment in their areas.
Read about the changes in more detail.
Great Southern Nights
The biggest indoor music event held in Australia since COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in March 2020 is set to take place on 5 December. Bernard Fanning and Matt Corby will perform to 6,000 people at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney as part of the Great Southern Nights initiative, which brings 1,000 COVID-safe performances to live music venues in Greater Sydney and regional NSW.
Great Southern Nights is a NSW Government initiative, delivered by its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). It aims to stimulate the revival of the live music and entertainment sectors and in turn the visitor economy in the recovery phase of COVID-19.
Move to digital platforms to record visitors to venues
The NSW Government has introduced new rules for recording the contact details of patrons and visitors. If they haven’t already, most premises will need to move from paper records to digital platforms, such as the Service NSW QR System, by 23 November 2020.
- Get the latest information on the NSW Government’s response to COVID-19.
- Sign up to Create NSW’s eNews to stat informed of the latest in COVID-19 support.
- Read Create NSW’s 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:
- $50 million Rescue and Restart package for NSW arts and cultural organisations.
- $1 million in digital adaptation grants of up to $5,000 for Creative Kids Providers.
- New funding initiatives using existing and repurposed funding totalling $6.34 million to support independent artists and small to medium arts, screen and cultural organisations.
- Screen NSW’s Slate Development funding up to $100,000 for eligible NSW production companies.
- Create NSW’s Arts and Cultural Funding Program. Rounds now open.
- Screen NSW funding, incentives and advice for eligible screen initiatives in NSW.
NSW Government COVID-19 economic support for the State
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.
Helpful resources
General advice and support
- Create Connects webinars that provide artists and arts and cultural organisations information on changes to public health orders.
- Media, Arts & Entertainment Alliance’s (MEAA) article on COVID-19 and your rights at work.
- FAQs for artists affected by COVID-19 from Arts Law Centre of Australia.
- A database of informal aid groups for artists state by state collated by Australian Mutual Aid Database.
- Boost: fundraising program for independent artists and arts organisations through the Australian Cultural Fund from Creative Partnerships Australia.
- A Facebook group for Australian Arts Amidst COVID-19.
Mental health resources
- An article on how to cope with COVID-19 from online arts magazine ArtsHub.
- Support Act is 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
- An example of how Circa managed the crisis from online arts magazine ArtsHub. (This content is only available to members of ArtsHub)
- Tips for small business to prepare for COVID-19 from CPA Australia.
More information
- NSW Government COVID-19 latest updates
- COVID-19 language help
- treasury.gov.au
- australia.gov.au
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