The Australia Council for the Arts has unveiled a Response Package to support artists and organisations affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adrian Collette, Australia Council for the Arts, CEOAustralia Council for the Arts CEO Adrian Collette

“In the last weeks we have seen our cultural and creative sectors suffer enormous damage as a result of the unfolding COVID-19 crisis that has seen public gatherings, performances and exhibitions cancelled in the interests of public health,” said the Australia Council’s CEO Adrian Collette. “We must do all we can to support the arts community, for whom the impact of COVID-19 is catastrophic. Venues have shut their doors with little or no notice, organisations have been forced to cancel their programs and activities, and hundreds of thousands of arts workers have had significant negative impacts to their immediate and future livelihoods.”

“We have freed up funds – as much as we are able – to immediately respond to the critical situation faced by Australian arts and culture,” Collette said.

The Response Package includes increased flexibility on grant conditions and reporting, including removing requirements on meeting audience KPIs, timeline extensions and allowing organisations to use money...