The Australian Government has released the guidelines for the RISE Fund and the Sustainability Fund ahead of the formal call for applications on 31 August, giving arts organisations and companies an opportunity to review the criteria and prepare their applications.

Arts and entertainment organisations are encouraged to apply for the RISE Fund, which is part of the federal Government’s Creative Economy package, designed to assist Australia’s creative and cultural sector reopen after COVID-19.

The RISE Fund will provide grants of between $75,000 and $2 million to help restart activities such as festivals, concerts, tours and events once it is safe to do so.

RISE will provide seed funding to arts organisations, companies and promoters to fund new events, activities and productions such as festivals, concerts, tours and events, which need significant capital investment.

The Sustainability Fund will provide direct financial assistance to support existing Commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations facing threats to their viability due to COVID-19. The Office for the Arts will work with the Australia Council to deliver funding to targeted organisations who have a funding agreement in place with the Australian Government, either through the Australia Council or the Office for the Arts in areas such as theatre, dance, circus and music.

Applications for grants under these two funds will open from 31 August through until 31 May 2021 (5.00pm AEST). Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis by the Office for the Arts and the Australia Council, with the Creative Economy Taskforce providing advice.

Source: Australian Government Department Infrastructure, Regional Development and Communications