RISE has received a significant top-up.
As the cut-off date for JobKeeper nears closer and closer, the Federal Government has committed an additional $125 million worth of RISE funding to bolster Australia’s arts and entertainment sector as it battles back from the impacts of the global pandemic.
Check out all the latest music industry news here.
The news comes from an initial statement made by the office of Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher, who is expected to detail the nuances of the funding further in an announcement today.
$10m of the allocated sum will be fast-tracked directly to mental wellbeing organisation Support Act, with the remaining sum being available to music, arts and entertainment organisations and workers as part of the Government’s Restart Investment to Invest and Sustain (RISE) fund.
Additionally, the Government has lowered the minimum bar of $75,000 for funding applications, with the minimum now being set at $25,000 to make it easier for multiple businesses to apply together.
As reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, the RISE program has received 314 applications as of November last year, with only a third of them receiving Government funding.
Many of these applications are now expected to receive confirmation as early as next week, with new applications being judged directly by Mr. Fletcher’s office instead of by the Australian Arts Council.
Previous grant recipients include Tasmania’s Dark Mofo, Byron Bay Bluesfest, Hamilton and Harry Potter stage shows and Melbourne street artist Rone.
“There’s plenty of great shows and tours and festivals and events that are able to be supported,” Mr Fletcher said in a statement today.
“It’s very much about generating activity, getting shows put on and generating jobs. We are all seeking to be coming back from the impacts of COVID and we want to boost the spirits of Australians by making sure they’ve got lots of great Aussie entertainers and performers they can go and see.”
Find out more about the Government’s RISE Fund here.
