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With the series of lockdowns and curfews occurring in
Victoria since May 27, 2021, one of the most affected areas, is the
performing arts industry.
Singers, musicians, writers, actors, and also the associated crew and
support, including technical, retail and merchandise, and event
promotion staff and businesses have been shut down throughout the
strate, with little or no support. Even as venues open, density
limitations have meant that many places have cancelled performances
that had been booked months in advance.
Many of the people affected have not qualified for the various business
support grants, usually because they are not GST registered, are
subject to more casual or intermittent work, and may not be as
‘structured’ as many other business operations. (We can do something
about that – but that is the subject of a separate discussion that we
are happy to have one on one with you)
The Victorian Government has provided a level of support – for both the
individual performers and crew, as well as venues who have had gigs and
performances shut down by the metropolitan or regional lockdowns.
There are two Support funds currently available to assist those
affected:
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1. Live
Performance Support Program (Suppliers) Round Two
This provides support to ‘contracted suppliers’.
Who is a
contracted supplier?
This is defined in the program as:
A contracted supplier to a live performance event is a business whose
primary activity is the delivery of a featured or advertised
performance or other goods and services to support the delivery of a
live performance event. This
may include performers, crew, venues, merchandise sellers, technicians
and engineers, as well as the ‘on stage’ performers.
And it is not limited to music performances. It is a “Live Performance
Event”, which presents creative/cultural content and may include but is
not limited to music,
singing, theatre, opera, dance, comedy or arena event.
It does
not
include sporting, business, private or educational
events in this grant scheme. (Some of those businesses are
covered in other Support funds currently being offered)
A Payment of $200 or $500 per event is possible (based on what the fee
for the cancelled performance would have been) with payment for
up to 20 gigs (to a maximum of $4,000) possible within the funding
round.
The performance will need to have been planned as follows:
- To be
delivered or performed between May 28 and September 2, 2021;
- Live,
in-person audience (i.e. not ‘just’ a streamed performance)
- Held
indoors or outdoors
- With
an expected audience of at least 75 people or a series of
performances over multiple days at the same location with an
expected minimum audience of 200 or more. (I am seeking
clarification on how this is impacted by density limitations that
were in place prior to, and during, the lockdown periods)
This funding also applies for interstate gigs – i.e.
Victorians who were meant to ‘cross the border’ and perform or work
interstate in the same way, would be eligible for this support grant.
Where costs incurred / claims are between $200 - $500 per gig, then a
grant of $200 is applied. For costs of over $500, then a $500 grant is
paid.
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2. Live
Performance Support Program (Presenters) Round Two
In a similar way, there is a support fund for the
‘venues’ that have been impacted by the lockdowns and suffered losses
as a result.
The terms and conditions of this grant are similar to the ‘suppliers’
grant, regarding dates, type of performance and estimated attendances.
For the Presenters, a funding claim is possible for up to $7,000 for
one event, with a further claim for a second event for up to $5,000
also possible.
This grant is also available to performers who were intending to
promote their own show as well - i.e. it is not limited ‘just’ to
established venues (pubs, clubs, etc)
For this grant, it may be necessary to identify ‘key suppliers’, from
whom the presenter intended to receive goods or services, with up to 10
suppliers identified. This of course, could be food and beverage
suppliers, performers, venue hire and crew.
Closing date
for applications – and estimated payment timelines
The final date (currently) for lodgement of the
application is September 8, with payment ‘anticipated’ to occur within
15 days of the closing of applications – so it would be expected to be
paid by September 23.
A number of items must be included within the application, and a few
background checks on items like ANZSIC codes, ABN, and related
registrations must be confirmed before an application is lodged. This
reduces the possibility of delay or rejection of the claims.
We can assist you with the process, prepare and lodge the claims on
your behalf, and monitor the claim process with Business Victoria after
it has been lodged.
If you – or anyone you know – may be eligible for these support funds,
please call me on 0409 788 399, or email me at stuart.smith@fiscalartisans.com.au to discuss your situation and work on your
application.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Rock on!
Stuart
For more information on Fiscal Artisans, please go to our website
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