The Victorian Government has announced further support for the arts industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Experience Economy Survival Package, which will support arts venues, galleries and museums, as well as sporting clubs and competitions and the racing industry.

Arts Centre Melbourne

As part of the package – which follows the $13 million Strategic Investment Fund announced last month – more than $32 million will support creative agencies and initiatives, the Victorian Government said, including funding for the Geelong Arts Centre, Museums Victoria, National Gallery of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne and Melbourne Recital Centre and $6 million for live music industry workers and to bolster the oversubscribed Sustaining Creative Workers initiative.

“Victoria has the best galleries, museums and performance venues in the country – and one of the best live music scenes anywhere in the world,” said Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley. “They are central to life in this state and this funding is vital to safeguarding jobs in the $31 billion creative industries economy.”

Arts Centre Melbourne CEO Claire Spencer AM described the Victorian Government’s Experience Economy Survival Package as “an absolute lifeline” for Arts Centre Melbourne. “It’s clear that this...