The Government has announced more support for the arts and events sector as New Zealand’s shift to the Red traffic light setting has had a devastating impact.
In a statement on Wednesday, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni said, due to the shift to the Red traffic light setting and other ongoing pressures on the arts and culture sector, "the Government is moving swiftly to cushion the blow".
While a number of events are working through contingency plans, the flow-on effects are proving difficult for a sector that's now in its third year of uncertainty due to Covid-19.
Sepuloni announced a swathe of extra funding for the sector, foremost, that the Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme will be boosted by $70 million, enabling the coverage of the scheme to be extended right through to January 31 2023 for events that were planned before the move to Red. Key eligibility criteria have also been extended.
The Screen Production Recovery Fund has been boosted by a further $15 million.
Meanwhile, the Cultural Sector Emergency Relief Fund has also been provided an additional $35.5 million to fund more direct support for individuals and organisations. The limit on funding for individual organisations has been increased from $100,000 to $300,000.
A one-off grant of $5000 will be available to eligible self-employed individuals/sole traders in the arts and cultural sector who have lost income or opportunities to work.
Musician: Funding boost 'a step in the right direction'
Deva Mahal says the funding is appreciated, but more can be done. (Source: Breakfast)
Musician Deva Mahal told Breakfast she really appreciated the funding boost, including the $5000 one-off payment for sole traders like herself.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction. I think it’s an excellent gesture,” Mahal said.
But, because most independent musicians earned about 70 per cent of the year’s income during the summer period by playing at festivals and touring, she said the $5000 didn’t come close to what artists could be earning.
She said people would find the payment useful, but that the Government could do more.
“It’s hard to stay optimistic, though I’m trying. It’s been a real blow to all of us.”
Meanwhile, comedian and actor Chris Parker said the one-off payment was a “life-changing life saver”.
He said many creatives he’d spoken to were supportive of the move to Red.
“We don’t want to contribute to growing this any more than it needs to,” he said.
“We just want to do the thing we love, that’s the bottom line. That’s the hard thing that lots of artists [find].
“There’s the financial thing, but we just want to do our work.”
Government 'actively engaging' with sector
“The Government has been actively engaging with the arts and culture sector to understand their needs as the pandemic has progressed, and we’re responding by delivering much-needed financial relief,” Sepuloni said.
“The arts and culture sector contributes approximately $10.9 billion to the New Zealand economy, making up about 3.4 per cent of GDP.
“Our strategy continues to be to slow the spread of Omicron down. New Zealanders have helped put us in a position to fight Omicron, but as we’ve said before, when Covid changes, we change.
Read more: Shift to Red hits event sector hard with numerous cancellations
“The Red traffic light setting, whilst needed to protect the health and safety of New Zealanders, has had an impact on the livelihoods of those who make a living out of arts and culture. That’s why we’re committing to a one-off $5,000 grant for self-employed individuals/sole-traders who can show proof of a loss of income or opportunity to work.
“We’re also extending the Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme, the Cultural Sector Emergency Relief Fund, and the Screen Production Recovery Fund."
The Arts and Cultural Event Support Scheme will receive a financial boost, extending coverage to events scheduled to take place before 31 January 2023, that were planned before the move to Red. This also includes extension of criteria to cover cancellations due to a lead performer getting Covid or needing to isolate.
“It’s important to reassure artists and crew that they will get paid despite their event being cancelled due to Red. The Scheme includes an obligation to make full payment, as if the event had gone ahead, to artists, performers and production crew and/or organisations,” Sepuloni said.
The Government are also making it easier for people to apply for the Cultural Sector Emergency Relief Fund and increasing financial support available for organisations by making changes to payment limits and the eligibility criteria. This will include setting up an application stream dedicated to self-employed people and sole-traders, in addition to the application stream for organisations.
“Internationally, Omicron is having a significant impact on the film industry, with cast/crew sickness in some cases causing productions to shut down, resulting in higher costs. Aotearoa New Zealand’s screen industry will not be immune from these pressures, so we are acting now to provide extra support for this key sector of our economy.
“The Screen Production Fund will receive a boost to enable an extension of the fund through to 31 December 2022, to maximise production activity and minimise the impacts of any Covid-19 outbreaks.
“I’m confident that our move to extend critical support schemes for New Zealand’s arts and cultural event sector will provide some relief and help our wonderful creative communities to get back on their feet.
“I want to acknowledge the huge financial and emotional strain and uncertainty that everyone in the sector is facing, but I want to underline our Government’s commitment to supporting the revival of the arts and culture sector,” Sepuloni said.
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