Australian artists have been greatly affected by the shutdown, and due to the nature of work in the arts and cultural industries, may not have access to Government support programs. Creative Partnerships Australia’s matched funding contribution will directly assist these artists during this period.

To reach across art forms in the Australian arts sector, we have identified Theatre Network Australia (TNA) and National Association of the Visual Arts (NAVA) to distribute this support to independent artists working within the performing arts and visual arts & crafts industries. Both organisations have a broad membership of artists they support through their own initiatives that we can further assist with matched funding.

Theatre Network Australia is the leading national industry development organisation for contemporary small to medium and independent performing arts. Utilising the Australian Cultural Fund to conduct fundraising, Theatre Network Australia and a consortium of over 40 arts organisations have developed ‘1000×1000 – Crisis Cash for Artists’ which will provide grants of $1,000 to 1,000 independent artists in the performing arts industry. The matched funding provided by Creative Partnerships Australia will allow twice as many artists to receive support, with all donations to the program matched dollar for dollar up to $110,000.

The National Association of the Visual Arts leads the way in advocacy, policy and action for the Australian contemporary arts sector, with a community of over 50,000. Through the Artists’ Benevolent Fund, NAVA is offering eligible artists a one-off payment of $2,000 to provide immediate assistance. With the added support and matched funding of up to $110,000 provided by Creative Partnerships Australia, this urgent relief will reach more artists affected by the sudden stop of their art practise.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, welcomed the measure, “Australians care deeply about the arts – and like all sectors affected by the pandemic, we want to support artists and creatives through this unprecedented and challenging time. The matched funding initiative from Creative Partnerships Australia complements the Australian Government’s support measures, which are estimated to inject billions into the arts sector. I thank Creative Partnerships Australia for their important work adding their support to Australia’s creatives.”

When announcing the initiative, Creative Partnerships Australia CEO, Fiona Menzies, acknowledged “the adversity and isolation felt by artists at this time, and the impact that the temporary closure of venues and postponement of events is having on their livelihoods.”

Menzies added that  “matched funding is a proven way to attract additional funds from the private sector to the arts and it is our hope that this funding will assist to immediately respond to the critical situation facing Australia’s artists, and to help sustain our vibrant creative sector.”

We ask those that find themselves with the capacity to donate during this time to support Theatre Network Australia and the National Association for the Visual Arts programs. With every dollar matched up to $110,000 across each initiative by Creative Partnerships Australia, we can share the support across more artists during this unprecedented time.

Funding will be distributed to Theatre Network Australia and National Association for the Visual Arts by 30 June 2020.

Support Theatre Network Australia ‘1000×1000 Crisis Cash for Artists’ campaign.

Support National Association for the Visual Arts Artists’ Benevolent Fund.