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.
Stage 4 restrictions for metropolitan Melbourne
From 6pm on Sunday 2 August 2020, Stage 4 restrictions are in place for metropolitan Melbourne for six weeks until Sunday 13 September.
Stage 4 introduces stronger rules to limit the movement of people – and limit the spread of the virus – across the city.
This includes a curfew from 8pm until 5am. The only reasons to leave home during these hours are work, medical care and caregiving. Other new rules and restrictions are also in place in relation to shopping for essentials, daily exercise and more.
Under Stage 4 restrictions, workplaces in metropolitan Melbourne must close unless they are part of a permitted industry. With very few exceptions (such as some screen productions), the creative industries are not permitted industries. Read our Creative Industries Q&As for more detail or visit the Department of Health and Human Services website.
People in Melbourne are required to wear face coverings when leaving home for the permitted reasons.
For information on Stage 4, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website or read the Premier of Victoria's statement.
Stage 3 restrictions for regional Victoria
From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August, regional Victoria will return to Stage 3 “Stay at Home” restrictions.
This means there are only four reasons to be out:
- shopping for food and essential items,
- care and caregiving,
- daily exercise, and
- study or work – if you can’t do it from home.
Businesses in regional Victoria also return to Stage 3 restrictions. This means that arts, cultural and entertainment venues in these areas must again close.
People in regional Victoria are required to wear face coverings when leaving home for the permitted reasons.
For information on Stage 3, visit the Department of Health and Human Services website or read the Premier of Victoria's statement.
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 Disaster has been declared in Victoria from 6pm on Sunday 2 August 2020. This is part of new measures to step-up the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and gives police additional powers to ensure people are complying with public health directions.
As this is a dynamic and fast-moving situation, the best source of reliable, up to date information regarding current measures, restrictions and health advice is www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.
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.
Latest news
Apply now - Business Support Fund Expansion
$5,000 grants are available for those impacted by the current Stage 3 restrictions.
Supporting creatives to work, build capacity and adapt
Grants totalling $2.3 million will directly support 373 independent creatives and micro-businesses across the state.
11 August - Coronavirus - (COVID-19)
Information and updates on this rapidly changing situation.
COVID-19 Audience Outlook Monitor report
Results from coronavirus (COVID-19) arts audience tracking study
Safeguarding Victoria's iconic cultural experiences
Funding of $32.3 million announced for the state's creative and cultural sector.
Creative Industries Q&As
Your questions about the current situation and support answered.