Indie Support

Indie Support

TNA has a range of ongoing and developing programs that support independent artists. Across 2020-2021 this included the Crisis Cash program, which provided $1,000 bursaries to 366 artists.

Support Act Crisis Payments

Applications for Support Act COVID-19 Crisis Relief Grants have now closed. 

$20million of additional funding the Federal Government has provided to Support Act will be available to all performing arts workers who have been financially affected by COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

Grants are $2,000 for individuals and $2,700 for families with dependent children.

To meet eligibility criteria applicants must:

  • - be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or have a valid working visa  
  • - prove that they have been working professionally in the Australian performing arts industry for three years
  • - provide names and details of two professional referees 
  • - be primarily working as an independent or casual in the professional performing arts
  • - have household expenses greater than their household income.

A reference group has been set up to advise on outreach to the performing arts sector including Theatre Network Australia, Arts Wellbeing Collective, The Alliance of Australasian Performing Arts Benevolent Funds and Live Performance Australia. We have also contributed advice on the criteria and assessment process.

Support Act’s Wellbeing Helpline is also available to anyone working in the performing arts who needs someone to talk to, and can all be accessed by calling 1800 959 500.

TNA urges artists and arts workers who have been impacted to apply for this grant. It can be spent on your rent/mortgage, food, utilities, medical expenses or other personal necessities. 

If you experience any difficulty filling in the form, let us know, as we can feed that back to the Support Act team to improve. 

There are thousands of performing arts workers who will benefit from a Crisis Relief Grant, whether they work as performers, creatives, crew or in administrative or producing roles. 

We all want to look ahead to a time when we can experience the thrill of live performing arts again across Australia. These grants provide a way for the badly affected industry to stay afloat as we get through these difficult months ahead. 

1000 x $1000: CRISIS CASH

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, TNA ran a one-off emergency payment to support independent artists, producers and production crew in the performing arts, who had been significantly affected.

Crisis Cash for Artists was a one-off emergency payment of $1,000 to support independent artists, producers and production crew in the performing arts who were significantly affected by Covid-19 in Australia, and who did not have access to a financial safety net. TNA sought to ensure independents were able to continue their practice while dealing with the day to day impacts of Covid-19 on their lives.

Whilst there has been a range of government and non-government finance and support initiatives, independent artists and arts workers fell — and continue to fall — through the cracks. Our Champion Companies, led by TNA and facilitated by Creative Partnerships Australia through the Australian Cultural Fund, set this campaign up to provide emergency financial relief to artists in need. Creative Partnerships Australia (CPA) waived the usual 5% fee so that 100% of donations were distributed to artists in need.

PLEASE NOTE: EOIs are closed and the Crisis Cash program has been finalised.

We understand these are trying times. On top of that, navigating the information around support across the arts sector can be overwhelming. Please feel free to contact us if you need help accessing specific information.

Support Act are offering Crisis Relief Grants to Live Performing Workers until funds are expended. Visual artists can also be supported by NAVA’s Artists’ Benevolent Fund.

If you are experiencing a personal crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

Support NEWS

7 October 2021

TNA is hosting an info session with Support Act on Tuesday, 12 Oct at 12:30—1:15pm AEDT, where Support Act’s coordinator Anne Jacobs will be taking us through the application form step-by-step.

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30 August 2021

Our colleagues at Creative Victoria and Business Victoria are providing an information session about the Victorian Government’s Live Performance Support Program Round Two and other business support programs now on offer. The Live Performance Support Program provides support to Victorian …

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23 August 2021

TNA is pleased to share the details of the newly expanded Support Act Crisis Relief Grants. Apply now if you have been affected! supportact.org.au As of today (23 August, 2021), the $20million of additional funding the Federal Government has provided …

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11 June 2021

July 2020 The 1000 x 1000:Crisis Cash for Artists campaign has been successful to date: raising $300k in three months, and supporting 124 independent artists in the performing arts. This campaign was established to address the most urgent gaps in …

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Crisis Cash

Request Support

10 June 2021

Please submit your Request for Support in the form below, or complete the Word Version REQUEST FOR SUPPORT Form and email it to Yuhui Ng-Rodriguez, Communications Coordinator at info@tna.org.au. If you do not have an ABN please complete and attach …

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13 July 2020

The 1000 x 1000:Crisis Cash for Artists campaign has been successful to date: raising $300k in three months, and supporting 124 independent artists in the performing arts. This campaign was established to address the most urgent gaps in the sector …

Read more