Regional Arts WA

Resources

Currently we are experiencing a change in our social and economic landscape that is directly impacting our arts sector. As an organisation we are committed to providing you with support during this time.

Content is being added to this page as we receive new information, check back regularly for updated advice and resources.

Last updated Wednesday 10 February 2021

The State Government has released the first ever Cultural Infrastructure Framework for WA, outlining a roadmap for holistic cultural infrastructure planning and investment.
Getting the Show back on the Road funding is now open. It is a shared risk program that supports a percentage of box office loss in the situation where there has been a negative impact due to COVID-19 for the presentation of performing arts and live music events.

Click below to see resources

Current COVID-19 Grants Available

For more WA grants information relating to COVID-19:

Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund are now open, and close on 31 May 2021.
Relief funding of $195,000 will be available for eligible regional art galleries that cancelled exhibitions and closed their doors due to COVID-19.
Artist Relief Fund WA, for when you are experiencing hardship and need to apply for financial assistance
Australia Council for the Arts – $5M Resilience Fund
COVID-19 Rapid Advocacy Fund, a donor pool that can rapidly inject funds into strategic advocacy campaigns responding to the pandemic in Australia
Crisis Cash for Artists, $1000 emergency payments to support independent artists who do not have access to a financial safety net – donations can also be made to support the program here
Lotterywest COVID-19 Relief Fund
Screenwest WA Screen Industry On Demand Content Fund
Creative Communities COVID-19 Recovery Program funding now open. It is funding for artist-in-residence projects that engage communities and are delivered in partnership with artists and either a local government authority, local school, or community group.
Getting the Show back on the Road funding is now open. It is a shared risk program that supports a percentage of box office loss in the situation where there has been a negative impact due to COVID-19 for the presentation of performing arts and live music events.

Other grants available:

Department on Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has a variety of grants available for individuals, groups and communities.
The Australia Council for the Arts has announced new rounds of funding for organisations and individuals – closes 1 September.
Good Things Foundation have a Building Digital Skills grant available.
Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal have a Strengthening Rural Communities program to access funding to support broad community needs and initiatives. Closes 24 November 2020

Curious about other States and sector funding opportunities? Please check out the Funding Centre

Online Learning and Webinars

Regional Arts WA has coordinated a calendar in an effort to collate the vast amount of webinars and workshops available online. Please click here to view the full calendar filled with online learning opportunities across the state and nationally.

We are continuing to host a series of webinars in the coming weeks:

To see our past chats, please click here. Stay tuned on our Facebook Page for our next chats.

Thinking about starting your own videos and webinars? Check out some of these tips and guides:

How to make the most of live streaming, guide is intended for musicians who plan to stream live performances of themselves on existing
platforms such as Facebook, Twitch and YouTube
11 dos and don’ts of videoconferencing, ArtsHub article

Events and Touring Information

PAC Australia and Regional Arts Australia partner on a new Touring Advisory Group (TAG) to provide information and advice on performing arts touring. Expressions of interest are now open for those engaged in touring to join TAG. EOI’s close mid January 2021.

Resources you may find useful when putting on an event:

WA Government – COVID-19 Event Plans and FAQs
PAC Australia Guidelines for COVID-Safe Theatres
COVID-19 Safety Plan Template, Live Performance Australia
COVID Safe Guidelines, Live Performance Australia
A Safe Guide for Reopening Performing Arts Venues, Victorian Association of Performing Arts Centres
Re-activate – guidelines to recommence practice and open doors to welcome audiences, visitors and customers, Australia Council for the Arts
Return to Work Plan, Black Swan State Theatre Company

Cancellations:

COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for small business, ACCC
COVID-19: Guidance on refunds and exchanges, Live Performance Australia
COVID-19 (coronavirus) information for consumers, ACCC
COVID-19 FAQs for artists, Arts Law

Events specific funding:

The State Government, through Lotterywest, is committing $159 million into a COVID-19 Relief Fund to respond to the hardship being experienced by the Western Australian community as a result the COVID-19 pandemic and this includes Event Cancellation Relief for Arts, Sports and Community Groups.

Online Events:

Arts Law also released this guide: Putting works online: COVID-19 FAQs for Artists and Arts Organisations

Surveys and Advocacy

Survey results:

Diversity Arts Australia
Ausdance Victoria
COVID-19 Audience Outlook Monitor, Australia Council for the Arts

Australia Council for the Arts provides a summary of a number of peak bodies who initiated surveys to track impacts of the pandemic on artists and arts organisations.

Specific COVID-19 information

For more information about COVID-19 and how it is impacting the arts in Australia, we recommend reading the Australia Council for the Arts COVID-19 information page.

Other useful sources of information include:

Recovery resources:

COVID-19 coronavirus: WA Roadmap
WA Government Phase 4 – Easing of Restrictions – frequently asked questions
WA Government – COVID Safety Plan and Guidelines
COVID-19 contact registers becoming mandatory for many WA local businesses and venues from 5 December, arts organisations, creative organisations and local governments. Paper based contact register templates and how to use the Safe WA app how to guides are located here.

What to do if your staff member has COVID-19

Safe Work Australia infographic

Online Creative Activities

Resources you may find useful include:

Creative @ Home, North Midland Project
Art at Home Guide
10 Creative Online Courses You Can Take for Free Online, Artsy
Learn-to-weave Kits, start weaving your own baskets, you can buy starter-kits from Tjanpi Desert Weavers
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’Creative Learning Resources, West Australian creators of children’s books has collated a range of materials for all ages to help teachers/parents during the COVID-19 crisis
Bird Makers Project, Co:3 Australia launches an online activity
Celebrate Western Australia’s writers and books, Writing WA

Wellbeing Resources

There are some free services available specifically for the arts, culture and entertainment sector:

Support Act Wellbeing Helpline on 1800 959 500. It is free and accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days per year
Arts Wellbeing Collective has a range of resources available

There is also other crisis support services available, they are incredibly important and helpful.

Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Headspace on 1800 650 890
ReachOut at au.reachout.com
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) on 1800 008 774
National Mental Health Helpline on 1300 643 287 (they are also offering support groups, click here)

The World Health Organisation guides for Coping with Stress and Helping Children Cope with Stress that may assist you during this time.