$20 Million Lifeline Funding For Aussie Festivals, Venues

The fifth round of the federal government’s A$200 million ($147.2 million) Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund saw A$20 million ($14.7 million) distributed to 63 organisations.

“This latest $20 million is creating a pathway to recovery that will support nearly 23,000 jobs in more than 560 locations, more than half of which are located in regional and remote Australia,” federal arts minister Paul Fletcher said.

The government wants the arts and entertainment sector primed to restart once vaccination rates reach 70 to 80%. By early September, 60% of Australians over 16 got at least their first jab.

Round 5 recipients included around $700,000 ($515,195) for regional festivals as Yours and Owls, Vanfest and new three day camping event Out of the Woods while Strawberry Music got $400,000 ($294,404).

The Melbourne Digital Concert Hall, which last year raised $1.25 million ($920,013) for artists through live streaming performance fees and donations also got $400,000.

RGM Productions Australia received $948,479 ($698,039) for a touring musical based on ‘90s Aussie-made global TV show Round The Twist.

The Holy Holys, guitarist Nathan Cavaleri, kiddies group Teeny Tiny Stevies and veteran folk-country singer songwriter Glenn Sculthorpe got funding for extensive touring.

The NSW government brought back Great Southern Nights to create revenue and jobs for performers, venues and crew. Last year more than 75,000 tickets were sold for 1100-plus gigs at over 300 venues around the state.

The second instalment, March and April 2022, picks up the tab for major names as Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins, Peking Duk, Jessica Mauboy, Amy Shark and Baker Boy.

22 Queensland live music venues ravaged by COVID shared in grants of $2.3 million ($1.69 million) in round 2 of the state government’s Live Music Support Program. The biggest beneficiaries with $300,000 ($220,740) each were Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane and NightQuarter on the Sunshine Coast.