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SUPPORT ACT
launches
COVID Emergency Appeal
as crisis worsens

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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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Follow SUPPORT ACT

About SUPPORT ACT

Support Act is the music industry’s charity, delivering crisis relief services to artists, artist managers, crew and music workers across all genres who are unable to work due to ill health, injury, a mental health problem or some other crisis, such as COVID-19.

Funeral support is also available so that music industry workers who have passed can be farewelled with dignity.

The Support Act Wellbeing Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7 counselling service for anyone working in Australian music or the performing arts. It’s supplemented by the First Nations Support Line and Manager Support Hotline, all accessed by calling 1800 959 500.

Support Act also develops and implements a range of life-saving mental health prevention, education and training programs, such as Mental Health First Aid Training, Press Play, Workplace Wellbeing Check-Ins plus On My Mind and Yarning Strong open access webinars. The mental health resourcespage on the website offers a wealth of evidence-based information, articles, videos, app and book recommendations, specifically curated for those who work in music.

Support Act raises funds from the music industry and beyond through donations, sponsorship, community fundraising, Help a Mate appeals and events such as the annual Music in the House industry lunch and annual fundraiser, Ausmusic T-Shirt Day.

Support Act is committed to promoting good mental health and providing a culturally safe space for all First Nations music workers.

For more information, visit supportact.org.au or call 1300 731 303.

AMNPLIFY – DB