The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing wide-reaching challenges for Victoria’s creative and cultural sector of a scale and nature we've never experienced before.
Creative Victoria is monitoring this evolving situation and its impacts on our creative community, and we are doing everything we can to provide support during these anxious and uncertain times.
On this site, you'll find information to help you navigate the current environment, including avenues for support and useful resources.
Update: Victoria's Last Step in the Roadmap for reopening
Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the further easing of restrictions in Victoria from 11.59pm on Sunday 22 November. See our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update for a summary of what this means for the creative industries.
For a full run down of current Victorian restrictions, visit the Victorian Government’s coronavirus website.
Industry Restart Guidelines available now
With the latest easing of restrictions, more Victorian creative organisations, businesses and venues can reopen and return to work. It is important for businesses and employers to understand their obligations and how to keep their workers, artists, audiences, patrons and the wider community safe.
Industry Restart Guidelines are being updated in line with the latest easing of restrictions. The guidelines will be available to download from the Arts and Recreation services page on the Victorian Government’s coronavirus website. Creative venues, museums and galleries with a Retail or Hospitality space should consult the relevant industry guidelines. Set building for theatre, film and television must adhere to Construction sector guidelines.
COVIDSafe signage and resources for your workplace
As Victoria moves to the Last Step of reopening it’s important that venues and workplaces are COVIDSafe. The Victorian Government has created a collection of templates, questionnaires, signage and posters to assist. Download and display these resources in your workplace and on your social media, visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au
We are in the process of updating our Creative Industries Q&As to reflect any changes for the creative industries as information becomes available.
For the latest information on current restrictions and the steps towards COVID Normal in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, visit the Victorian Government’s coronavirus website.
View these resources
Support Act Wellbeing Helpline
The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is a completely confidential and free of charge 24/7 phone counselling service.
Simply phone 1800 959 500 to speak with an experienced, qualified clinician about any aspect of your mental health and wellbeing. You can make an appointment, or request to speak to someone immediately.
Questions and answers for the creative industries
We have gathered the following information in response to questions about the current situation, its impacts on our creative industries, organisations and individuals, and available support.
A State of Emergency is in place in Victoria until 6 December 2020 to allow the Chief Health Officer’s directions to remain in force.
Victoria’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap to reopening, outlines the steps to COVID Normal and includes information on the safe and steady easing of restrictions across how we live, learn and work.
Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the further easing of restrictions in Victoria from 11.59pm on Sunday 22 November. Refer to Summary of the Last Step Restrictions for full details.
Visit the Roadmap Restrictions page for details of the roadmap, current restrictions and industry-specific information, including for creative studios, indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, museums and galleries, and media and film productions.
If you are a current funding recipient and you will not be able to deliver on your project, or your plans have been affected, please contact Creative Victoria program staff. We understand these are drastically changed circumstances and will provide as much flexibility as possible, including changes to deliverables, KPIs and delivery platforms
Please get in touch with your client manager or funding program staff to discuss your needs. If you don’t know who best to speak with, contact our reception email and general telephone line and you will be directed to the right place.
Given these extraordinary circumstances we will be as flexible as possible with reporting and acquittals, please contact program staff to discuss your needs.
For organisations that receive funding through the Organisations Investment Program, outcomes reporting for 2020 has been suspended.
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