National Assistance Program for the Arts

A group of arts and culture philanthropists have come together to provide a $1.4 million support program for the COVID-19 affected arts sector.

Published: 07 May, 2020

The philanthropic community of Australian arts supporters recognises the challenges faced by our cultural sector in adopting the vital COVID-19-related precautions that we all must embrace to keep our loved ones safe.

They acknowledge and appreciate the commitments of all levels of government in their efforts to help support Australians through this difficult time. In supporting those efforts, the below group of philanthropists have collaborated to provide support to some artists and arts workers.

Philanthropy Australia’s Arts Funders Network is coordinating the distribution of philanthropic funds into the Australian arts sector, via Creative Partnerships Australia and the Australian Cultural Fund in the form of a National Assistance Program for the Arts.

The program will distribute one-off grants of $1,000 each on the basis of need, experience, and talent. The alumni of the Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship program will assess applications to the program.

In co-ordinating our efforts, we hope to provide immediate relief for some artists and arts workers experiencing hardship. We recognise that our recovery from this emergency will be long and we will be there, with our community, for the duration of that journey. We know the need in the community exceeds our capacity, but we will do what we can to help those who need it most.

Application to the program will open at 9.00am AEST on Thursday 7 May 2020 and close at midnight AEST on Sunday 10 May 2020. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in the week beginning 11 May 2020.

Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the program can be found below.

Application can be made via this link: https://myerfoundation.smartyg...