Arts Sustainability Fund

The Arts Sustainability Fund supports the arts and entertainment sector to continue its activities by providing necessary finance to plan a pathway for recovery from the effects of COVID‑19. Funding will support employment and contribute to rebuilding Australia's economy, as well as enhancing community wellbeing and access to cultural experiences across Australia.

How it works

Who can apply

Organisations that are currently party to, or due to enter into, a multi-year funding agreement with the Australian Government, either through the Australia Council or the Office for the Arts.

When to apply

The targeted competitive grant opportunity commences 31 August 2020 and remain open until all funds are allocated or until 31 May 2022, whichever is sooner.

Funding available

The Arts Sustainability Fund will provide $59 million over two years in 2020–22 so that significant Commonwealth-funded performing arts and culture organisations remain solvent, provide employment, and deliver high-quality cultural and creative activities and experiences for audiences.

Program Information

funding tabs

About The Program

Funding application period: August 31, 2020 09:00 AEST to May 31, 2022 23:45 AEST

COVID-19 update

With the COVID-19 (or Coronavirus) pandemic affecting all of Australia's arts and cultural sector, the operations and financial stability of arts organisations have been significantly affected resulting in some organisations being at risk of insolvency.

The Arts Sustainability Fund will support the arts and entertainment sector to continue its activities with funding targeted towards significant Australian Government funded arts organisations to help them remain solvent. The program is intended to assist by providing the necessary finance to plan a pathway for recovery from the effects of COVID-19. This will support the employment of workers and contribute to rebuilding Australia's economy, as well as enhancing community wellbeing and access to cultural experiences across Australia.

Up to date information about COVID-19 and how it relates to the arts sector, can be found on the COVID-19 update page.

If you have any questions or need further information, please email the Arts Sustainability Fund at SustainabilityFund@arts.gov.au or call 02 6271 7695.

Program information

The COVID-19 Arts Sustainability Fund is investing $59 million over two years in 2020–22 to organisations funded by the Australian Government, through the Office for the Arts and the Australia Council. Operational funding is provided to these organisations as they are key employers of Australian artists and art workers, and the training ground of Australia's upcoming performing artists. They are also the leading presenters of high-quality work to audiences across Australia.

Funding application period: Fund opens on 31 August 2020 and will remain open until all funds are allocated or until 31 May 2022, whichever is sooner.

To apply for funding through the COVID-19 Arts Sustainability Fund, organisations should submit an application using Department's SmartyGrants online portal. The SmartyGrants application form is designed to assist applicants to demonstrate how their proposal meets the objectives of the program by addressing all the assessment criteria. All eligible applications will be competitively assessed against the assessment criteria.

Program documentation

Before applying, you must read the COVID-19 Arts Sustainability Fund guidelines. The guidelines include eligibility criteria and information about the application and funding process. The guidelines and frequently asked questions (FAQs) can be accessed at the Australian Government's GrantConnect website.