WA arts events score $3.7m in COVID-19 relief funding

Fremantle Biennale, Factory Summer Festival and Origin Fields are among the arts events to have received a share of the federal government's $40 million RISE fund. 

Western Australian companies received a total of $3.7 million of the $40 million on offer in the fourth round of grants. 

The biggest WA winner was Fremantle Biennale which received $965,055 for an Aboriginal-led story-telling project and drone light show.

Factory Summer Festival and Origin Fields received $800,000 and $672,556 respectively for their upcoming summer music events.

Perth International Jazz Festival was awarded $612,813 for its 2021 and 2022 festivals and to expand into regional WA.

Other companies to receive money include Hyden music festival Wave Rock Weekender ($350,000) Gascoyne travelling festival CREALITY ($195,000) and AWESOME Arts Australia ($87,000).

This round of funding was to support festivals implement COVID-safe measures and infrastructure including signage, tracking and hand sanitiser stations.

Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said the program had been critical in supporting Australia's live performance venues and events during a time of widespread disruption from the pandemic. 

Creative Economy Taskforce chair Liz Ann Macgregor said the funding was a crucial lifeline for the sector to continue delivering events.

“RISE is rebuilding confidence and assisting arts and entertainment businesses to provide audiences with cultural and creative experiences nationwide,” Ms Macgregor said.

“The strong demand for the program is indicative of the importance of this investment.”

WA companies to be awarded support in the May RISE funding round include Zaccaria Concerts and Touring ($726,300), Artsource ($620,397) and Perth Festival ($595,623).

The government has allocated $140 million of the total $200 million in the RISE fund.