This package addresses urgent needs within the arts and cultural sector and comprises of two main funding streams:
Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund
Objective: To provide capital to help production and event businesses to put on new festivals, concerts, tours and events as social distancing restrictions ease.
Opens: 31 August 2020
Closes: 13 September 2020
Amount: $75,000 – $2,000,000
For further information read the grant guidelines.
COVID-19 Arts Sustainable Fund
Objective: To provide ‘last resort’ funding assistance to significant Australian Government-funded arts organisations that are assessed to be at imminent risk of insolvency as a direct result of COVID-19.
Opens: 31 August 2020
Closes: 31 May 2021
Amount: $100,000 and $5,000,000
For further information read the grant guidelines.
There are also grant opportunities available through other funding streams:
Live Music Australia – Australian Music Industry Package
Objective: To bring more live music to Australian communities and will fund applications that support quality original Australian live music that is professionally staged, with a focus on small to medium venues.
Closes: September 13
Amount: Maximum $100,000
For further information visit the website.
Arts Projects for Individuals and Groups – Australia Council
Objective: To fund a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences.
Closes: 13 September 2020
Amount: $10,000 to $50,000
For further information visit the website.
Arts Projects – Organisations – Australia Council
Objective: To fund a range of activities that deliver benefits to the arts sector and wider public, including national and international audiences.
Closes: 1 September 2020
Amount: $20,000 – $100,000
For further information visit the website.
Fellowships – Australia Council
Objective: To support outstanding, established artists’ or arts professionals’ creative activity and professional development for a period of up to two years.
Closes: 1 September 2020
Amount: $80,000
For further information visit the website.
Further support and loans are available through the COVID-19 Creative Economy Support Package, which can be found on the website.
The Australia Council also has a range of other support and information about external grant opportunities on the website.

