Some 58 promoters, producers and venues in Ireland will receive a share in a €5m (£4.5m/$5.9m) Live Performance Support Scheme, which aims to “de-risk” the planning of shows as live events start up again.
Catherine Martin, the Republic of Ireland’s minister for tourism, culture, sport, media and the arts, announced the beneficiaries of the scheme yesterday (Monday), stating that the fund will allow “commercial organisers of live performances to commence preparations immediately and productions to go ahead, with either a live audience or to share content through streaming”.
Recipients of this funding allocation range from small to large venues, producers and promoters and grants range from €10,000 to €400,000.
The funds will support a variety of live events planned. including concerts, pantomimes, theatre productions, festivals, outdoor performances and comedy events.
Martin said: “I am very conscious of the unprecedented nature of the challenge facing the live performance sector, not least from a financial point of view and accordingly I’m very pleased to announce this funding allocation which I’m sure will greatly assist in the employment of performers, artists, technicians, creative and performance support staff across the sector.”
Recipients of the grants include Dublin-based independent promoter Onhand Bookings and Events, Eden Quay Theatre and Pod Festivals.
The announcement follows October’s €50m in support for live entertainment as part of the 2021 Budget. As part of this, Arts Council funding will be increased to €130m, a €50m increase on last year.
Martin added: “I was also delighted to recently announce €50 million in support for the sector in Budget 2021 – which will encompass a range of supports for live entertainment events to take place in venues next year across the country, and other measures to support music, and a new grant scheme for equipment.
“This scheme, designed after consultation with the sector, helps to de-risk the costs of running productions that may be postponed, cancelled or curtailed due to restrictions to safeguard public health. The live events sector was one of the first to close and I want to ensure that it will be supported and there once again for musicians, artists and performers.”
A full list of recipients of the funding is available from the Republic of Ireland government website.
Netherlands
Fifty-eight music venues in the Netherlands have received financial support from the Kickstart Culture Fund to help adapt to reopening with COVID-19 measures in place.
In total, the fund supports 418 cultural organisations, including theatres, concert halls, producers and museums, with €100,000 going to Carre Fonds Theatre, €85,000 to Chasse Theatre and €100,000 to Melkweg music venue.
The newly established fund, which has collected more than €16m, has awarded grants ranging between €5,000–€100,000 to the Dutch cultural institutions.
The Netherlands limited music venues and theatres to a maximum of 30 visitors for indoor, seated events, when the nation went into a partial lockdown on October 14.
The Dutch government is currently considering closing a host of cultural spaces for two weeks from Thursday.
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