Government announces $250 million arts package

30.06.20

Last week the government announced a $250 million package for the arts sector, designed to help restart the creative economy. The government support package includes:

• $75 million in grant funding for production and events businesses to put on new festivals, concerts, tours and events as social distancing restrictions ease
• $90 million in loans to assist creative businesses to fund new productions and events that stimulate job creation
• $50 million to be administered by Screen Australia that will support local film and television producers to secure financing and start filming again
• $35 million to provide direct financial assistance via Australia Council to support significant Commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations facing threats to their viability
• the establishment of a creative economy taskforce to partner with the Government and the Australia Council to implement the JobMaker plan for the creative economy.

The ASA is hoping that writers festivals will receive funding through the $75 million fund and welcomes the injection of support for local film and television producers. From an authors' perspective, strong local screen production includes potential opportunities for book adaptations.

Our main concern with the arts package is whether there will be any direct support for writers / illustrators who may have fallen through the cracks of JobKeeper support. While we acknowledge that the live performing arts have been hardest hit and require urgent assistance, we are waiting to see the criteria for the $35 million funding to determine whether individuals may also apply. 

We will keep you informed about the finer details of the package as they become available, including the appointment of the members of the creative economy taskforce once they are announced.