Check out the TNA April E-News below, with national and Victorian arts news, industry goss, and current positions vacant. Make sure you sign up to receive the E-News in your inbox by using the form at the bottom of the page.

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TNA STUFF

This month’s e-news will take a slightly different format in response to the current COVID-19 situation. We hope you are staying well, staying home and looking out for one another. We are mindful that being home isn’t safe for everyone and that many people of Asian appearance are experiencing racism. We acknowledge the pronounced impact that this crisis has on those with a disability, and on communities already affected by the recent bushfires. Please seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Advocacy in response to Covid-19 Crisis
TNA is in daily conversation with State and Federal governments and agencies, national peak bodies, other industry colleagues, media and is at relevant roundtables. Check our News and Resources page for the latest, and stay up to date with advocacy by industry colleagues Live Performance Australia (LPA), and Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA).

Calling for Champion Companies – Crisis Cash for Artists Fund
A consortium of companies in the performing arts, led by TNA in partnership with Creative Partnerships Australia, are currently working on a fundraising campaign to provide equity bursaries to independent artists who have been adversely affected by Covid-19 and who do not have a financial safety net. Become a Champion Company.

TNA welcomes Tessa Leong as Manager, Artist and Sector Development
Tessa Leong is a director, producer and founding member of Adelaide-based theatre company isthisyours? Tessa joins us at a time when her role could not be more necessary for a sector in flux. She looks forward to connecting with you.

Australia Council 4-year funding announcement
We congratulate the organisations to be funded from 2021-24, including those that will receive support for the first time. We also acknowledge that it is an incredibly difficult time for the organisations that have not secured this investment. TNA will be in conversation with member organisations who have been affected as we continue to advocate for an arts stimulus/ recovery package. List of funded organsations and peer assessors.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COVID-19 SUPPORT

Support for Sole Traders (most independents)
JobKeeper payment of $1,500 per fortnight if turnover has reduced (now legislated). | If ineligible for the former, JobSeeker payment with expanded criteria, flexible arrangements and adjusted mutual obligations. | Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight for eligible categories. | Read list of support available for sole traders.

Support for Individuals (independents who are NOT sole traders)
Main mechanism for individuals is the JobSeeker payment with expanded criteria, flexible arrangements and adjusted mutual obligations. | Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight for eligible categories. | Read more on support for individuals.

Support for Companies and Employers (arts orgs)
JobKeeper is a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee (now legislated). | Boosting Cash Flow is a tax-free payment of $20,000 to $100,000 to employers and is automatically calculated by the ATO. | Read list of support available for businesses.

Stimulus Packages Decoded
Videos explaining (in simple terms) the government’s stimulus packages regarding small businesses, the SME Guarantee Scheme (a cash flow loan), What sole traders need to know, and Obligations regarding staff.

Support for Indigenous Arts, Regional Arts and respected charity Support Act
$10 million for regional artists and organisations, to be delivered through Regional Arts Australia’s Regional Arts Fund. $7 million to be delivered under the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program. $10 million for Support Act to provide financial support and counselling to artists and crew. More info.

STATE GOVERNMENT COVID-19 SUPPORT PACKAGES

Business VIC Support
Small organisations may be eligible for $10,000 as part of the Business Support Fund. We are anticipating a VIC arts-specific support package to be announced next week.

Service NSW Support
Deferral of payroll tax and increase of tax-free threshold. Read more.

Business QLD Support
Payroll tax relief and power bill relief of $500 if you consume less than 100,000kWh. Read more.

NT Business Recovery Support
Grants of up to $100,000 for not-for-profit and community organisations to engage local businesses to do repairs, renovations and upgrades. | Business Improvement Grant of $10,000 – $20,000. | Small Business Survival Fund is an immediate payment of $2,000 – $50,000 and an adaption payment of $1,000 – $5,000.

ACT Support
Support for local businesses include electricity rebates of $750 if usage is below 100 mega watts per year, 6-month waiver of payroll tax, payroll tax deferral and 4 hours free business advice.

WA Government relief package
Small Business relief includes $17,500 for small businesses, one-off $2,500 credit on electricity bills if usage is less than 50MWh per annum, and waiver of payroll tax for 4 months. More info.

Business TAS Support
Small Business Emergency Support Grants of $2,500 are available as one off emergency support payments to small businesses and sole traders. See other available grants such as Business Continuity Grant ($750) and Small Business Hardship Grant ($15,000). Read more.

SECTOR-SPECIFIC GRANTS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

NATIONAL – Australia Council Response Package
Resilience Fund quick response grants comprise 3 streams: Survive, Adapt and Create. More info on full response package, including relief from grant conditions and reporting, latest announcements and sector resources.

VIC – City of Melbourne Quick Response Arts Grants
$4,000 to create online content or develop new/ unpresented work. Applicant must live, work or regularly present in City of Melbourne. Applications re-open on 14 Apr due to overwhelming response. More info.

VIC – City of Melbourne Quick Response Business Grants Grants (Arts orgs in City of Melbourne)
Capital works projects matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 | Up to $5,000 available to invest in online and e-commerce activities. | Up to $2,000 available for training and professional development. Apply now. 

NSW – 27 Apr – City of Sydney Support Package for Arts and Culture
Cultural Sector Resilience Grants ($10,000 / $20,000) provide support to not-for-profits and sole traders. The Creative Fellowships Fund ($20,000) supports creative developments, initiatives, and purchase of equipment. Small Business Grants ($10,000) to adapt business models. All close 27 Apr. | Quick Response Grants ($2,000 – $5,0000) to help communities adapt, survive and recover.

NSW – 30 Jun – CreateNSW Small Projects Grants (Quick Response)
Small Project Grants  of $500 – $5,000 have been redefined to address the current situation of social distancing and the cancellation of non-essential travel. Closes 30 Jun.

SA – 14 Apr – Arts Organisations Collaboration Grants
5 grants of up to $100,000 to achieve employment outcomes, explore new ways of collaborating, create and develop work, and engage with audiences. Independent artists and smaller organisations must be primary financial beneficiaries, with major organisation contributing in-kind resources and organisational capacity. Closes 14 Apr. Read more.

ACT – 17 Apr – ArtsACT HOMEFRONT
Up to $10,000 for Canberra artists to support arts development and the sustainability of their practices over the next 6-9 months. Apply by 17 Apr. More info.

QLD – Arts Queensland Funding
Current round of Individuals Fund boosted to $500,000. Deadline extended to 21 Apr. | Queensland Art Showcase Program increased funding to $2 million. | 4 year org funding extended to Dec 20201 | More info.

NT – Apr – Creative Industries Sector Immediate Response and Resilience Program
Digital Adaptation Program offers up to $10,000 to establish online presence and showcase work. Closes 17 Apr. | Channel NT offers up to $10,000 to develop content for multi-channel use. Closes 1 May. | Territory Arts Projects offers up to $20,000 for projects and $15,000 for emerging artists. Closes 23 Apr.

TAS – 4 May, 1 Jun & 6 Jul – Arts Tasmania Grants
$500,000 allocated to support additional organisations not currently funded. | Digital Production Fund supports digital distribution of work affected by COVID-19. Closes 4 May. | Funding for individuals and groups closes 1 Jun. | Funding for organizations, including Northern Tasmanian and Youth Arts Organisations, closes 6 Jul. | See list of grants open for application.

COVID-19 OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES

NATIONAL – Moogahl Live – Call for Blak Artists
Call for Blak artists for a series of Facebook takeovers. Paid opportunity. Apply.

NATIONAL – Digital Delivery of First Nations Cultural Services
Wurundjeri Corporation encourages pre-recorded videos and live-streamed Welcomes, Yidaki performances and Call to Country where possible. More info.

NATIONAL – Arts Front’s Little Lunches Online
Daily curated online lunches, featuring a topic/ artist(s)/ organisation. Paid opportunities for artists to present work. Join a lunch or submit EOI.

NATIONAL – Social Media Support Groups
Australian Arts Amidst COVID-19 is a place to ask questions and share ideas. | Arts Tasker – work, skill and community sharing during COVID19 is as the name suggests. | Artists without jobs and doctors without babysitters matches these in need groups to each other. | Shout Out is for those stuck at home alone and need a helping hand. | Homebound Art has inspiration for kids and their grown ups. With all social media remember to use it wisely and consider your sources of information.

NATIONAL – Hire Artists: online marketplace for creative exchange 
Built by artists for artists, Hire Artists connects buyers with experienced practitioners for online instruction or to help with creative and non-creative tasks. Join.

NATIONAL – Multicultural Arts Victoria #DistanceBetweenUs staff wellness program
This initiative provides a 15-minute performance from an artist, who will phone in to scheduled video meetings. 80% of fees go to artists, 20% to MAV.  Read more.

NATIONAL – Online dance classes and activities
AusDance VIC has a list of online classes and activities offered by the dance community. Join or list your activity. | European Dance Network is offering performances, 1-day exclusives and online classes.

NATIONAL – Critical Stages StageAndStream
Every Friday Critical Stages posts a list of streaming opportunities and performances. See events or request to list your own.

NATIONAL – How to make the most of live streaming
Download Australian Music Industry Network’s Best Practice Guide.

NATIONAL – AusDance VIC recommendations for online classes
Refer to AusDance’s recommendations and teacher resources which covers legal, practical and pedagogical considerations.

NATIONAL – Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) Resources 
ATYP On Demand is available free of charge for students, teachers and young people across the country to engage with the performing arts.

NATIONAL – Inspiration Chats for Youth Circus community
Calling circus professionals (acrobats, designers, producers, stage managers, directors) to share their story with young people in circus who may be at risk during this lock down. Contact Natano for more info.

NATIONAL – Black Hole Theatre Online Puppetry Workshops
Workshops led by experienced puppeteers, with objects and puppets. Available as a live stream, or as a stand-alone video directed at teachers and parents. Register your interest. 

NATIONAL – Surveys measuring impact of COVID-19 on the arts
The data collected allows us to make a strong case for support.
I lost my gig
Media Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA)
Performing Arts Connections Australia (PACA) – most suited to organisations
Diversity Arts Australia (DARTS) – for CALD creatives
AusDance National – dance sector specific

NATIONAL – Adopt an Artist Fund
An initiative to connect the financially stable/ those less affected to those in need. Read more.

NATIONAL – Support Act Crisis Relief
Crisis relief for music workers who are facing financial hardship, prioritizing those who are unable to access Government benefits due to eligibility or other issues. Apply now. 

NSW – Actors Benevolent Fund Emergency COVID-19 Assistance
Financial assistance to meet an urgent unexpected cost with medical, pharmaceutical or household expenses or domestic travel home. Must be based in NSW.

NATIONAL – Legal Help – MEAA and Arts Law Centre Resources
Read MEAA’s Fact Sheet ‘COVID-19 and your rights at work‘ and Arts Law Centre of Australia’s ‘FAQs for Artists’.

NATIONAL – Relief for Company Directors from insolvency laws 
The Federal Government has announced that directors will be exempt from personal liability for trading while insolvent for 6 months. Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) unpacks what this means and directors’ duties that still apply.

NATIONAL – ArtsHub COVID-19 Page
ArtsHub has made all coverage on COVID-19 freely available outside of member’s paywall, and established a dedicated new COVID-19 section to ensure free and easy access to information.

NATIONAL – International Responses and Advocacy
Browse IFACCA’s International News page. | IETM has an exhaustive list of international resources on mobility and travel, initiatives, campaigns and government support.

GOLD COAST – 15 May – Hota Artist Fund: Rage against the V(irus)
Up to $1,000 for a project that takes no longer than one week to deliver (development and presentation at speed).  A chance to experiment with new forms, think outside the box, do things differently. Must be Gold Coast-based. Apply by 15 May.

OTHER NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES

NATIONAL – 14 Apr – Chamber Made Orange House by the Sea Residency
Open to mid-career women and non-binary artists whose work is located at the intersection of performance, sound and music. 9 – 27 Nov, $3,000 artist fee, Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. Apply by 14 Apr. Read more.

NATIONAL – 15 Apr – AMP Foundation Tomorrow Fund
Funding of $5,000 – $100,000 is available to Australians doing great things in their communities. Open to individuals of all ages, walks of life and interests. Grants can cover a range of activities, including training, travel and equipment costs and living expenses. Closes 15 Apr. Apply.

NATIONAL – 20 Apr – Regional Arts Australia Artlands
Strategic regional art gathering call for papers and presentations close 20 Apr.

NATIONAL – 30 Apr – Australia Council’s Future Form: Transforming Arts Business Models
Supports small to medium arts organisations to transform and innovate their core business model. Program includes online learning, residential labs, individual coaching and peer support. Runs Jul – Nov 2020. More info and key dates. Apply by 30 Apr.

NATIONAL –  Showcase Victoria 2020
This performing arts marketplace is currently developing an alternative online model of delivery to ensure that potential programming for 2021/22 is not jeopardised.

NATIONAL – 25 May – Vitalstatistix Adhocracy 2020 Call Out 
This national experimental arts hothouse runs 3 – 6 Sep. Selected projects receive a fee regardless of whether event proceeds. Simplified application process for 2020. Due 25 May.

NATIONAL – 18 Jun – Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program (ACDGP)
ACDGP Bushfire Renewal Round focuses on building, rebuilding and promotion of the creative industries in bushfire-affected areas. Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, deadline has been extended for applicants to adjust project proposals. Now due 18 Jun.

NSW – 31 May – National Theatre of Parramatta (NTofP) Open Days / Zoom
NTofP is looking to meet arts professionals (performers, designers, creatives) from Western Sydney to do auditions, talk ideas, and other opportunities. Open Days on 1 & 2 Jul (possibly via Zoom). Applications close 31 May. More info.

SA – Gravity and other Myths’ Seedling fund
The fund offers micro-loans for emerging artists. It supports South Australian emerging artists (financially and through mentoring) to create and present new works.

INDUSTRY GOSS

• Iain Finlayson is moving on from his role as Development Manager of Melbourne Writers’ Festival to take on a new opportunity as Performing Arts Coordinator at the City of Moonee Valley, managing the Clocktower Arts Centre.
• Jeremy Smith has been appointed General Manager of PICA. He steps down from his role at Australia Council as Arts Practice Director – Community, Emerging and Experimental Arts.
• Joseph Mitchell steps down from his role as Artistic Director of OzAsia Festival.
• Mark Crees commences new role as Director – Create Infrastructure at Create NSW.
• Kirsty Rivers is the new Head of Music at Australia Council, after stepping down from her role as Senior Manager of Contemporary Music at Creative Victoria.
• Congratulations to TNA member Michelle Ryan on her Australia Council Award (Dance).
• Congratulations to TNA member and ArtsHub’s National Performing Arts Editor Richard Watts on his Sidney Myer Award (The Facilitator’s Prize).
• Congratulations to all Green Room Awards Recipients!

POSITIONS VACANT

Director, Communications – Powerhouse Program, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (NSW). Apply by 12 Apr.
Marketing and Communications Manager, Bundanon Trust (NSW). Apply by 14 Apr.
Production Manager, Midsumma Festival (VIC). Apply by 17 Apr.
Head of Curation and Learning, Bundanon Trust (NSW). Apply by 20 Apr.
Marketing & Development Manager, Performance Space (NSW). Apply by 20 Apr
General Manager, Creativity Australia (VIC). Apply by 30 Apr.
New Jobs Hub for industries currently needing workers, Federal Government.

CONTACT US