Australia Announces $20 Million Live Music Fund

Music fans wear PPE at Castaway Unlocked at HBF Stadium in Perth, Australia on July 18, 2020. (Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

The Australia government is offering small to medium-sized entertainment venues a share of $20 million (over four years) as part of a competitive program that aims to support the recovery of live music venues amid the CCP virus pandemic.

The arts minister, Paul Fletcher, announced that the Live Music Australia grant will support venues to host gigs, performances, and tours of local talent as restrictions ease.

Live Music Australia is an open competitive grant program that will deliver $5 million annually over four years, with each of the two rounds per year providing $2.5 million.

“I encourage pubs, clubs, and venues around the country to apply for funding through the new Live Music Australia program so they can get back on their feet and be ready to open their doors to once again bring live home-grown music to Australian audiences,” Fletcher said in a media release (pdf).

The first wave of CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus (commonly referred to as novel coronavirus) outbreaks heavily impacted musicians and their teams who saw the cancellation of shows and tours.

The pandemic shut down and dispersed the live music community, who could no longer meet up at small or large venues or festivals.

The boutique Sydney venue Camelot Lounge currently operates at a substantially reduced capacity in order to ensure social distancing. Patrons are only able to book tables of 2, 4, or 8.

The loss of income from a lack of touring and live performances has also caused musicians financial strain and strife.

Small to medium venues in Australia that support homegrown live music can apply for up to $100,000 in this grant scheme. Applications close at 11.59 pm on Sept. 13.

Venues are still open in the Northern Territory, though social distancing is encouraged and events with more than 500 people need special authorisation from the territory health department.

In the Australian Capital Territory, there is a limit of 100 people per indoor space, or one person per four-square-metres (whichever is lesser), according to the ACT Government.

A two-square-metre rule applies to venues in South Australia and Tasmania.