Dear Colleagues,

In this quarter’s bulletin, we would like to spotlight some of our recent advocacy efforts.

Coming up really soon – the CaPT Advisory is preparing a CaPT-specific response to the Federal Inquiry into Creative & Cultural Industries & Institutions, alongside a TNA response on behalf of the performing arts sector. Please read on for more details on ways to engage.

We have also revised the Crisis Cash Requests for Support criteria in response to the reductions in JobKeeper. We urge you to pass the EOI details on to independent artists, producers and production crew in the performing arts who may qualify.

Lastly, we are proud to support Steph Cox and Harley Mann in Power Play, a new advocacy program for 10 independent performing arts professionals focused on providing the strategic leadership skills needed to support recovery in the performing arts.

This year has been quite the stretch, and we encourage everyone to be gentle with ourselves. And as always, please reach out if we can provide any advice, information or connection at this time. 

Take care,

Jamie Lewis and the TNA Team: Nicole, Simone, Tessa, Rani and Yuhui
Theatre Network Australia

22 Oct – Federal Inquiry into Creative & Cultural Industries & Institutions
The Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher has asked this House of Representatives (not senate) Committee to inquire into and report on: economic and non-economic benefits, policy coordination, COVID impact, and opportunities in innovation and digital. TNA is preparing a full submission, and we urge artists and arts workers to fill in the survey. We have prepared a survey template so you can take your time and then cut and paste. Read our detailed bulletin for more info.

TNA’s CaPT Advisory is also preparing a CaPT-specific response. These submissions are due 22 October 2020. Please contact Jamie before 5pm, Tuesday 17 October for more info or to contribute.

TNA’s submission to the Australia Council for the Arts Consultation
Australia Council for the Arts has been running a broad consultation process – Re-imagine – with online small sessions, various ways to input ideas, and online submissions sought. The Council called for contributions to a “national conversation about the shared future that we can create”.  

TNA staff have participated in a variety of the small online sessions, and we have also written a submission focussed on short-term, practical suggestions in light of the COVID-19 context. Read TNA’s Submission in Summary here.

Federal Budget 2020-21
TNA notes that the Federal Budget has not provided the arts industry with anything significant to help it begin recovery. We are pleased that the Australia Council’s funding remains secure for now. Our colleagues at Live Performance Australia have prepared a good summary, and allowed us to share it. Read more here.

Power Play: New Advocacy Program
TNA has received funding to implement a paid leadership program for 10 independent performing arts professionals focused on providing the strategic leadership skills needed to support recovery in the performing arts. Participants are Ching Ching Ho, Bron Batten, Jack Sheppard, Deanne Butterworth, Lana Nguyen, Steph Cox, Harley Mann, Creatrix Tiara, Eliki (Alec) Reade and Desiree Tan. This project kicks off TNA’s nation-wide Advocacy Development program, more soon!

COVID Safe Plans by State
TNA has compiled guides for COVID Safe Plans which vary across states – from industry-specific plans and approved templates, to exhaustive documents and simple checklists. Some states require plans to be approved, but most only require plans to be available for inspection on premises. View COVID Safe Plans by State tab on the TNA Resources page.

Revised Criteria: Crisis Cash Requests for Support
In response to JobKeeper reductions, we have updated the EOI criteria for Crisis Cash. Independent artists, producers and production crew in the performing arts who have lost income, are not receiving JobKeeper at the full-time rate, and belong to a high-risk group may apply for a one-off emergency payment of $1,000. View the expanded criteria and EOI process.