David Kary

$50 MILLION PACKAGE FOR NSW ARTS AND CULTURE

The NSW Government has announced a $50 million Rescue and Restart package for NSW arts and cultural organisations to ensure the sector continues to make an important contribution to the NSW economy during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said this funding was the largest dedicated arts and cultural support package of any jurisdiction in Australia.

“This Rescue and Restart package will ensure the survival of some of the most significant arts and cultural organisations across NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The NSW arts and cultural sector is an important contributor to the NSW economy as well as for our community’s well-being. We know that the arts is a place of refuge and a source of inspiration in these challenging times.”

The Rescue and Restart package will be delivered in two stages:

  • Funding available now to enable NSW not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations to hibernate temporarily.
  • Funding available in the coming months to enable NSW not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations to restart operations after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding will be available to NSW not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations assessed as being in financial distress across the State on a case by case basis.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the arts sector supports 118,000 jobs across NSW and contributes $16.4 billion directly and indirectly to the NSW Gross State Product.

“This funding is critical to keep more businesses in business and people in jobs as the NSW economy begins its recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.

“The Rescue and Restart package is intended to assist NSW arts and cultural organisations to hibernate, so they are in a strong position to restart operations when health guidelines permit.”