Music industry charity, Support Act, has today launched a 2022 COVID Emergency Appeal in response to the growing crisis within the industry as the latest wave of Omicron infections sweep the country.
Since the start of the pandemic, Support Act has allocated more than 15,000 Crisis Relief Grants to music and live performing arts workers valued at more than $35 million, thanks in large part to the financial support received from the Australian Government.
Now that those funds have been expended, Support Act urgently needs to raise additional funds to help meet the continuing demand from music workers who are struggling financially and with their mental health.
Clive Miller, CEO of Support Act, explains: “Just when we thought 2022 might bring something brighter for our industry, the spread of Omicron is once again affecting live music, with events being cancelled or postponed, and now many music workers are also testing positive to COVID-19 and being forced to isolate, resulting in them losing critically important income.
“It’s putting enormous pressure on an industry which is still struggling to recover after almost two years of pandemic-related challenges.”
The 2022 COVID Emergency Appeal is being supported by some leading figures in the music industry who share their stories about how Support Act’s services have helped them, including artists Sam Margin from The Rubens and Paul Gildea from Icehouse, lighting designer Deb Hatton and Unified artist manager, Caleb Williams.
For further information or to make a donation, visit the 2022 COVID Emergency Appeal page.
For further information on Support Act and its services, including crisis relief, mental health resources and programs, visit supportact.org.au. For the Wellbeing Helpline, call 1800 959 500.
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