Rabbit holes and culture ministers

$250m support package for Australia’s arts and cultural sectors.
We know councils have spaces, theatres, cultural centres and support arts communities so this announcement is very relevant.  On Thursday, the Australian Government announced:
 
A $250m support package for Australia’s arts and cultural sectors, including $90m in government-backed concessional loans to fund new productions that will create jobs during the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic was announced today. Thursday’s package includes a $75m grant program that will provide capital to help Australian production and events businesses put on new festivals, concerts, tours and other events as social distancing restrictions ease. Grants will range from $75,000 to $2m.

Screen Australia will administer a $50m fund to help finance local productions that have shut down to comply with public health measures. In addition to the social distancing requirements, many productions had to fold because they could not secure insurance. The government will also provide $35m to what it describes as “significant commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations” – which could include theatres, dance companies or musical groups. The Australia Council will help allocate the funding. The package also includes $90m in concessional loans to help bankroll new productions and events that provide employment and generate revenue. The loans will be provided by the banks but underwritten by the commonwealth. A taskforce to oversee the implementation of the support package.
 
We don’t have a lot of detail on how the grants will be allocated yet, but we will find out more and give you updates in future blogs.  We know there is little understanding outside of local government just how integral arts activities are with what you do as a council, and the impact of COVID19 on what is core business for many of you.  This announcement is the start of a long road to recovery for your arts community.

Have State and Territories provided support for the Arts Community?  

Yes, they have.  Arts funding doesn’t get the attention it deserves, so announcements are often lost in the noise.  Your State and Territories have been quietly providing support, including small and some larger grants.   Ben Eltham in The Guardian has put together an excellent table as part of an article on arts funding which provides an overview, available here:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/may/26/australias-cultural-sector-is-haemorrhaging-money-but-its-not-the-federal-government-stemming-the-flow

Are there more details?  

Yes, the article makes interesting reading although was published prior to the Australian Government announcement.  An extract, with thanks to Ben Eltham and The Guardian:
 
Victoria has been the leader, as so often when it comes to culture in Australia. Foley has announced a comprehensive suite of measures for the sector, totalling $51m so far. There is $26.3m in support for the state’s key cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Victoria, the Arts Centre and Melbourne Recital Centre, as well as $13m for nearly 100 small-to-medium cultural organisations around the state. The state’s beleaguered music industry has won a $4m support package. Perhaps even more importantly, Victoria has stepped up to support artists at street level, with nearly $6m in short-notice arts grants and funding rounds, plus the $2m for new work for ‘Rising’.
 
Queensland has also contributed a substantial support package, with $8m in support topped up by a further $2.5m in a subsequent announcement. The funding will go largely to small-to-medium organisations and artists. Tasmania, South Australia, the ACT, the Northern Territory and Western Australia have all announced smaller packages, of between $1.5 and $4m.
 
On Sunday, the NSW premier, now acting as arts minister as well, announced a $50m “Rescue and Restart” package. “This Rescue and Restart package will ensure the survival of some of the most significant arts and cultural organisations across NSW,”
 
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/may/26/australias-cultural-sector-is-haemorrhaging-money-but-its-not-the-federal-government-stemming-the-flow

What is the Meeting of Cultural Ministers?

Section51 explores all sorts of rabbit holes in the world of funding.  Arts funding is a whole world in itself.
 
Did you know we have a Meeting of Cultural Ministers, which includes our friends across the ditch? 
 
The Meeting of Cultural Ministers takes place annually. Meetings cover areas of national significance and mutual interest, including the creative arts, performing arts, Indigenous culture, film and digital media, and collections. What we do: We develop policies and deliver programs that encourage excellence in the arts, help to protect our cultural heritage and support public access to and participation in, arts and culture in Australia. The Meeting of Cultural Ministers is advised and assisted by an Officials Working Group and has a number of working groups which progress government priorities, such as the collection of cultural data and the National Arts and Disability Strategy.
It also strengthens the trans-Tasman relationship between Australia and New Zealand and fosters opportunities to collaborate on activities and share information to promote mutual benefit across the two countries. The secretariat for the Meeting of Cultural Ministers rotates among the jurisdictions. The secretariat for meetings in 2020 is New South Wales.

https://www.arts.gov.au/mcm/work-mcm

Does this help with arts funding?   

Everything is useful somehow.  If you go into the website what it provides is a link to each of the Australian and New Zealand Arts Government Departments.  In one place you can explore what is happening or go directly into your state.  Here is the link.
 
https://www.arts.gov.au/mcm/cultural-data-online/cultural-statistics-sources

What other funding opportunities are available around the States and Territories?  

Due to popular demand we are repeating an updated version of last week’s blog on currently open grants.  Note that on Monday 22nd June each State and Territory, in partnership with the Australian Government. made an announcement on ‘Unlocking Infrastructure Jobs’.  We have used the NT as an example below but you can find the details in the media releases of each of your State and Territory Premiers or Chief Ministers.
 
NSW: Wednesday 24th June 2020 (new) $50 million available for Round Seven funding
The latest funding round (Round Seven) of the Resources for Region program is open for applications from 24 June 2020 and closes 2 September 2020. A strategic review of the program has been undertaken and, in consultation with key stakeholders, a new set of funding criteria has been developed. The Resources for Regions program aims to support the ongoing prosperity of mining communities in regional NSW by providing economic opportunities, improved amenity and positive social outcomes. The Resources for Regions program acknowledges the significant benefits mining delivers to the NSW economy as well as the unique and diverse needs that arise in mining communities. The program will fund infrastructure projects and community programs that help address these unique and diverse needs. $50 million is available in this funding round and will be allocated across the identified eligible Local Government Areas (LGAs). Prescribed allocations of funding are assigned to eligible LGAs to ensure the program is weighted towards supporting the most mining-affected communities in NSW.
 
WA: Tuesday 12 May 2020. Applications for round three of the Regional Economic Development Grants (RED Grants) program are now open and close on 7 July 2020. Eligible applicants can apply for round 3 of RED Grant funding for individual projects that contribute to sustainable jobs, expand or diversify industry, develop skills and capability, attract new investment or maximise recovery from COVID-19 impacts to the region.

http://www.drd.wa.gov.au/rfr/REDG/Pages/default.aspx
 
QLD: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 $50 million stimulus funding for councils to Unite & Recover
The Premier has announced a $50 million boost for South-East Queensland councils to build new and upgraded infrastructure which will create 750 jobs as part of Queensland’s continued economic recovery from COVID-19. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the funding today as part of the second stage of her government’s Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan. “As part of the $50 million Unite and Recover Community Stimulus Package, we will work with local governments and the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to identify shovel ready projects so that we can support more jobs as quickly as possible.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2020/6/16/50-million-stimulus-funding-for-councils-to-unite--recover
 
SA: Wednesday 10 June 2020. Regional Growth Fund 2020–21 Now Open
Strategic Business Round 2020. A special $15 million round of the Regional Growth Fund has been established to help fast track the recovery of regional economies after COVID-19. Applicants can seek grants from $50,000 up to $2 million. Applications are now open and close at 12pm on Monday 6 July 2020. Important - before applying, please read Regional Growth Fund Strategic Business Round 2020 Guidelines Addendum in conjunction with the Regional Growth Fund Guidelines for information about eligibility and the application process. If there are differences, what is stated in the Guidelines Addendum will apply.

https://www.pir.sa.gov.au/regions/regional_growth_fund
 
TAS: Monday 8 June 2020. Supporting sport and recreation while keeping Tasmanians safe and healthy. The Tasmanian Government remains committed to support the State’s sport and recreation sector through the challenges faced as a result of COVID-19. Our Government recently announced a $10 million Improving the Playing Field assistance package and this, along with our $2 million sport and recreation COVID-19 support fund, will help Tasmanian sporting organisations recover and rebuild from COVID-19 while supporting hundreds of jobs.

http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/supporting_sport_and_recreation_while_keeping_tasmanians_safe_and_healthy
 
NT: Monday 22 June 2020 (New) $53 Million to Unlock Infrastructure Jobs in the NT
The Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments will support infrastructure construction jobs across the NT by jointly investing an additional $53 million to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said further investment in infrastructure would play a critical role in the Commonwealth’s JobMaker plan and help the Northern Territory economy as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Partnering with state and territory governments to invest in more major infrastructure projects across Australia is a key part of our JobMaker plan to rebuild our economy and create more jobs,” the Prime Minister said.
“This funding injection means we have brought forward or provided additional infrastructure funding of nearly $190 million across the NT in the past eight months ”This package builds on the fast tracking of $147 million for infrastructure in NT which we announced last November, locking in priority upgrades that will increase productivity, improve safety, and boost jobs at a time we need it most.”

http://newsroom.nt.gov.au/mediaRelease/33448
 
ACT: Thursday 11 June 2020. The ACT Government will expand the Fast Tracked suburban infrastructure program, delivering more jobs and supporting more local businesses as we recover from COVID-19. The initial $25 million program has seen headcounts on worksites exceed 1000 people, at the same time supporting hundreds of local businesses. There have been upgrades to local school facilities, improvements to footpaths and cycleways, road safety improvements, community facility upgrades and maintenance at venues including the National Arboretum Canberra, Canberra Theatre Centre and National Convention Centre. The second phase of the Fast Track program will play an important role in Canberra’s Recovery Plan. $8 million being allocated to new projects and $2 million of the program extension will be allocated to early planning and design work. New projects will include more funding for upgrades to public buildings, maintenance works in our schools and urban renewal projects.
 
https://www.cmtedd.act.gov.au/open_government/inform/act_government_media_releases/barr/2020/more-jobs-and-local-businesses-supported-through-$10m-extension-of-fast-track-program

What are the weeks 3x3?  
 
3 things to do this week:
 

1. Check if any of the open grant programs are suitable for your projects.
2. Talk to your arts community and let them know that we are beginning to see opportunities for funding support (new)
3. Review all your reporting requirements across council for all State or Australian government grants as the end of the financial year is imminent.

 
 3 things to do over the next 3 weeks:
 

1. Finalise and submit applications for grant programs which close in mid-July.
2. Start fresh in the new financial year with your grants and funding planning (new)
3. Work with your arts community in prepared them for the road to recovery. Find out their starting point should funding become available. (new)

 
3 things to do over the next 3 months:
 

1. Revisit your community and business needs and work out how they can support you while you can support them (new)
2. 6 to 12 months planning for your arts community and the road to recovery. (new)
3. Formalise a process to look at new strategies that your planners, economic development officers and community may pursue in the new look and feel that your main street and CBD may have in a post COVID world.

 
Section51 has extensive experience in exploring funding in all the different areas of council operations, including arts.