Creative Victoria has announced a second tranche of Sustaining Creative Workers grants, designed to assist people in the creative industry who have been hard hit by the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Creative Victoria said grants totalling $2.3 million would directly support 373 independent creatives and micro-businesses across the State, including performers, writers, fashion designers, theatre companies and festivals.
“This includes an additional $500,000 injected into the program to help meet high levels of demand, especially amongst those with little access to other forms of government support,” the Agency said.
“Prior to the pandemic, the creative industries employed 280,000 Victorians and contributed $31 billion annually to the state economy,” it said.
“In recent months the sector has been devastated due to coronavirus-related restrictions and closures, with thousands of people losing work and income.”
Creative Victoria said the State’s hard-hit music sector would also be supported with $857,000 in grants for musicians, music businesses as well as virtual and live events.
“The latest tranche of grants through the Sustaining Creative Workers program has provided $607,000 to 103 projects that will help Victorian musicians and music businesses produce new music, upgrade equipment, undertake skills development, livestream performances and more,” the Agency said.
