The Victorian Government is providing more support for live performance events that have been cancelled due to the recent coronavirus restrictions.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said that applications are now open for the second round of the Government’s Live Performance Support Program to assist businesses and individuals in the live performance industry who have been affected by event cancellations between 27 May and 2 September 2021.

The program will provide funding of up to $12,000 for eligible event presenters and up to $4,000 for suppliers who had been contracted to work on events and have lost income or incurred costs.

The program is open to those who work on stage and off, front of house and behind the scenes, across live performances such as music, theatre, opera, dance, comedy, and cabaret.

Victorian-based applicants who have lost scheduled work interstate are also eligible to apply.

Delivered through Business Victoria, the Live Performance Support Program has two streams:

Presenters – open to live performance event presenters, including producers, promoters, venue owners and artists who promote their own shows. Applicants can apply for either $7000 or $5000 for one event, and a further $5000 for a second event.

Suppliers – open to suppliers contracted to work on events, including performers, crew, technicians, and engineers. Suppliers may be eligible for a grant of either $200 or $500 per event for up to 20 events. Suppliers do not need to be GST-registered.

The Live Performance Support Program is part of the Government’s $20 million Victorian Events Support Package.

In this second round, the program has been updated in response to industry feedback and to assist a wider range of affected event businesses and workers. For eligibility details and to apply, visit business.vic.gov.au. Applications close on Wednesday, 8 September 2021.

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Government has provided more than $25 million in dedicated support to the live music industry. This is on top other support available including the Licenced Venues Hospitality Fund, the Business Support Fund and the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria and Parliamentary Secretary for Creative Industries Harriet Shing:

“Along with venues who’ve been required to cancel live performances and events for months, our artists, creators, technical and support worker, and promoters ave been devastated by the impact of restrictions.”

“The economic and social effects of the pandemic will continue to be felt across Australia, but I would encourage people from our Victorian creative industries to apply for this second round of grants, and to access the assistance that’s available through state and federal assistance programs.”