Resonate Magazine | Australian Music Centre

[Updates: Llnk to funded organisations list updated 4 April. See also Letter from the AMC Board and team regarding the funding announcement published 6 April.]

The Australia Council for the Arts has today announced that 144 arts organisations will receive a share of $31.7M per annum in funding offered through the revised Four Year Funding for Organisations program.

Of these, four-year funding will be provided for 95 organisations who were successful in the application process, including 28 organisations new to this funding scheme. The first year of funding from 2021 will be at a reduced level (approximately 70%) to enable more organisations to receive vital support through 2021.

In addition, contract extensions of twelve months will be provided for 49 organisations that currently receive four-year funding but were not successful for the period 2021-2024, with the intention of allowing these organisations more time to plan for their future. The additional funding for 2021 will also be at a reduced level (approximately 70%). See a list of funded organisations.

CEO Adrian Collette AM said the new measures, delivered within the Council's existing budget, were essential during this critical period when the cultural and creative sectors are experiencing immediate and enormous challenges due to the impact of COVID-19.

'In the light of COVID-19, it has been essential to revise this round of Four Year Funding to provide support for the greatest possible number of small to medium arts organisations. This has involved increasing the program funding and the number of funded organisations. This is to enable as many as possible small to medium arts organisations to continue to operate, and to strengthen the long term sustainability of the arts sector and the many thousands of Australians it supports. However, achieving this and still supporting more organisations through 2021 requires the first year of FYF funding to be offered at a reduced level. This is not business as usual for anyone, and arts organisations also will need to adapt in order to weather these unprecedented times', said Collette.

'I also acknowledge the whole of government support available to arts organisations under the JobKeeper payment. I encourage all eligible companies in the arts and creative sector to register their interest on the Australian Taxation Office website.'

> Read the media release (3 April 2020) - see also: list of all funded organisations.

> See also: 'Australia Council announces a Resilience Fund to support artists and organisations' (Resonate 1 April); 'A COVID-19 support package announced by the Australia Council' (Resonate 26 March)