Artist and Creative sector resources during COVID-19

We have collated some information, resources and initiatives that artists and the creative sector may find useful during this pandemic.

Grant funding opportunities Learn more

Australia Council for the Arts

The 2020 Resilience Fund (total pool of $5 million) is designed to provide emergency relief to support the livelihoods, practice and operations of Australian artists, groups and organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are three streams you can apply for - Survive, Adapt and Create. The program is open now with no closing dates.

Click here to learn more

Useful sector information and resources

Australia Council for the Arts

Future Form is an opportunity for small to medium arts organisations to transform and innovate their core business model. Our cultural and creative sectors are facing significant forces of change. Future Form provides time and space for participants to reimagine and respond to the future.

The deadline has been extended to 26 June 2020.

Click here to learn more

Create NSW

COVID-19 measures (repurposing of existing funding totalling $6.34 million) to support independent artists and small to medium arts, screen and cultural organisations impacted by COVID-19.

Closing dates depend on the funding category, with most categories closing 19 May.

Click here to learn more

Connect skills development webinars

The Artists’ Benevolent Fund

The Artists' Benevolent Fund will offer eligible artists a one-off payment of $2,000 to provide immediate assistance following a disaster or catastrophic event in their lives. No deadline date for submissions.

Click here to learn more

Paid opportunities Learn more

Blak Bloggers

Blak Bloggers is a pilot program as part of YIRRAMBOI’s Resilience in Isolation. If you are a First Nations creative experiencing physical distancing in isolation, you are invited to submit your content proposal. Contact Collaborations Producer Kalinda Palmer for further details and have your writing published by YIRRAMBOI. This is a pilot program and a paid opportunity.

Click here to learn more

Contact Collaborations Producer Kalinda Palmer: [email protected] 

Donation campaigns to support artists in emergencies Learn more

Donations, administered by National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA), to assist reinstating the Artists’ Benevolent Fund so that artists can be offered some assistance in times of emergency.

Donations of $2.00 or more are tax-deductible.

Click to donate to campaign

1000x1000: Crisis Cash for Artists campaign, administered by Theatre Network Australia and Creative Partnerships Australia, to enable one-off emergency payments to independent artists in the performing arts.

Click to donate to campaign

Surveys to collect data on the impact of COVID-19 on artists and the creative sector, due to cancelled gigs, postponements and subsequent loss of income

This data is being collected to show the effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on the arts and cultural sector, and to provide the evidence needed to secure ongoing support from governments and other funders.

Peak bodies and Service organisations– websites are updated regularly with the latest news, fact sheets, resources and interesting articles in response to COVID-19

Peak bodies and Service organisations Learn more

Accessible Arts – peak arts and disability organisation across NSW

Click to learn more

Arts Hub - Australia's leading independent online resource dedicated to the world of the arts

Click to learn more

Arts Law Centre of Australia – the national community legal centre for the arts

Click to learn more

AUSDANCE NSW – peak body for dance in NSW

Click to learn more

Australian Festival Association -  represents the shared interests and importance of the Australian festival industry

Click to learn more

Australian Writers’ Guild - the professional association representing writers for stage, screen, radio and online

Click to learn more

Diversity Arts Australia -  Australia’s key organisation for diversity in the arts

Click to learn more

Live Performance Australia – the peak body for the live performance industry

Click to learn more

Museums and Galleries NSW (MGNSW) – service organisation for small to medium museums, galleries and Aboriginal keeping places.

Resources for museums and galleries to transition to digital platforms, audience engagement and collection care.

Click to learn more

Music NSW - the state music body in NSW

Click to learn more

National Association of Visual Arts -  the national peak body for the visual arts, craft and design sector

Click to learn more

Screen Producers Australia -  unites screen businesses to campaign for a healthy commercial environment

Click to learn more

Theatre Network Australia – the  leading industry development organisation for the performing arts

Click to learn more

Writing NSW - the state’s leading provider of services to writers

Click to learn more

Government Stimulus and COVID-19 Relief Packages Learn more

Australian Government Job Keeper payment JobKeeper payments are eligible to businesses, not individuals. It's goal is to enable a business that has suffered a significant downturn to retain its employees by claiming a wage subsidy. That subsidy is called JobKeeper.

Click to learn more

Australian Government Job Seeker payment

JobSeeker Payments are for people who have lost their job or had a significant reduction in wages from an employer not eligible for JobKeeper Payments.

Click to learn more

NSW Government

Click to learn more

Online arts programs and initiatives

For a regularly updated collection of online exhibition programmes, collections, virtual tours, classes and workshops, from NIRIN the Biennale of Sydney to the New York Metropolitan Opera, go to:

Museums and Galleries NSW  Click to learn more

Supporting your mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 Pandemic

There are free services and expert information available to everyone – don't be afraid to reach out for help. Click to learn more