Coronavirus: Paul Fletcher defends level of federal funding for the arts

As Britain rolls out a $2.8bn cultural lifeline, Arts Minister Paul Fletcher defends the government’s $250m industry rescue plan

Arts Minister Paul Fletcher. Picture: AAP

Arts Minister Paul Fletcher has defended the scale of the federal government’s creative economy support package after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week unveiled a £1.57bn ($2.82bn) lifeline for cultural ­organisations there.

The Morrison government has promised $250m in grants and loans to the arts, entertainment and screen sectors to help them rebound from the coronavirus lockdown that has shut theatres, galleries and film production.

The closure of cultural venues since March has threatened some of the nation’s best-known arts companies, such as Opera Australia and Sydney Theatre Company, which have both warned about their future viability.

Sydney venue Carriageworks is in voluntary administration.

Britain on Monday (AEST) stunned the global arts community with the size of its cultural stimulus, which Mr Johnson said was to “safeguard the sector for ­future generations”.

Mr Fletcher praised the measures that other countries had made to protect their cultural industries, and said the Coalition’s package of $250m was a “very significant amount of money”.

“I think it will have a significant impact in stimulating activity in the arts and entertainment sector,” Mr Fletcher said at the Australia Council on Wednesday.

Industry body Live Performance Australia has lobbied for at least $345m in stimulus measures and to extend JobKeeper payments until September next year in some cases.

The government’s COVID-19 creative economy support package comprises $75m in competitive grants, $90m in guaranteed loans, $50m to restart film and TV production and $35m to support subsidised organisations.

Mr Fletcher said he would personally approve the grants on advice from the Office for the Arts, the Australia Council, and a creative economy taskforce that is yet to be appointed.

He did not give a specific date for the awarding of grants, but said it would be “well before the end of the year”.

The package is intended to help arts and entertainment organisations get back into business when health restrictions are eased.

“The particular thing we have been worried about is … that arts companies, promoters, entrepreneurs and producers have drawn down on their reserves,” he said. “It takes capital to put on a new show, a festival, an event.”

Mr Fletcher yesterday announced details of a $500,000 package for First Nations ­musicians.