Arts leaders warn of an industry ‘on the brink of collapse’

Arts and entertainment leaders are calling for government assistance of at least $850 million.

Federal arts minister Paul Fletcher. Picture: AAP

Arts and entertainment leaders are calling for government assistance of at least $850 million to save an industry “on the brink of collapse” as venues close, performances are cancelled, and thousands of artists and staff face losing their jobs.

Industry bodies and artist associations met with Arts Minister Paul Fletcher on Tuesday to brief the government on the unprecedented impact on the cultural sector due to COVID-19.

Live Performance Australia, representing the $4 billion stage arts and concerts industry, warned that the government has not acted quickly enough to assist a business that relies on the confidence of producers, artists and audiences.

It has called for industry assistance of $850m, greater clarity about the length of disruption to the business, and income support for artists and casual staff.

“The biggest issue now is speed of response,” said LPA chief executive Evelyn Richardson after the meeting. “We need to be focused on ensuring the industry survives.”

The hour-long teleconference involved 18 groups, including the Australia Council, music industry bodies APRA AMCOS and ARIA, the Australian Major Performing Arts Group, the National Association for the Visual Arts, national collecting institutions and indigenous art groups such as Desart.

Mr Fletcher said the industry submissions would inform the government’s response to the COVID-19 emergency.

The meeting came on another day of venue closures, including the Sydney Opera House which has cancelled all performances until March 29, although public areas, bars and restaurants will stay open.

Another symbolic closure was David Walsh’s privately owned Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, which is shutting its doors from Wednesday “for the foreseeable future”.

NAVA executive director Esther Anatolitis said the government could aid the arts sector by immediately increasing funds available through the Australia Council, which had already assessed artists and companies on their viability and cultural impact.

Collections society APRA AMCOS said its musician members were the “original gig economy” and had suffered from overnight cancellations of concerts and performance opportunities.

It has urged a wider government response, calling for a meeting of federal, state and territory cultural ministers to address the crisis.