The federal government is about to triple the size of its coronavirus rescue package for the arts and entertainment industry, topping up its $75 million Restart Investment to Invest and Sustain (RISE) fund to $200 million.
The fund guidelines will also change to allow more support for smaller organisations, venues and artistic groups, a move designed to help the music industry, which has been crying out for help in the face of venue capacity caps and touring restrictions.
Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher looks over a model set at MTC.Credit:Luis Ascui
The government spent the first $60 million of RISE funds in November, with big winners, including the Harry Potter stage show in Melbourne, Hamilton in Sydney, Dark Mofo in Tasmania, Circa in Queensland and the Bluesfest in Byron, getting more than $1 million each.
However, eyebrows were raised when a $1.8 million grant went to a single person: Melbourne street artist Tyrone Wright, known as Rone, for an “immersive experience” to be set in a deserted hall.