COVID-19 Delta Relief Package - NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund Is Open

October 1st 2021
With thanks to Manatū Taonga, a second round of the NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund has now opened. Focused on ensuring a viable national touring infrastructure, it supports venues where NZ artist performances of original music were cancelled or postponed since 17 August.

The music community across Aotearoa has been severely impacted by the current COVID Delta outbreak, particularly in live music with hundreds of shows cancelled or postponed. Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, announced the COVID-19 Delta Relief Funding package earlier this week, which included support for venues, performing artists and other in the arts community. As part of this package, a second round of the NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund is opening, focused on music venues where there have been NZ artist performances of original music cancelled or postponed since 17 August.

 

This support for music venues contributes to the overall outcomes sought by the Manatū Taonga Arts and Culture Recovery Programme COVID-19 Delta Relief Funding, including protecting cultural sector jobs and infrastructure. The purpose of this Fund is to ensure a minimum viable national touring infrastructure in the future and to support music venues across New Zealand cities and regions to be resilient and survive.

 

The COVID-19 Delta Relief Package round of the NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund enables music venues to apply for a contribution towards the costs associated with operating a live music venue where confirmed performances of original NZ music have been cancelled or postponed between 17 August and 3 October 2021. Applicants will need to provide evidence of the confirmed bookings for original NZ music performances.

 

The contributions for qualifying music venues for the period of 17 August to 3 October 2021 will be:

a.     $500 per date cancelled or postponed for qualifying music venues with up to 150 capacity to a maximum of $10,000 + GST

b.     $800 per date cancelled or postponed for qualifying music venues with over 150 capacity to a maximum of $15,000 + GST.

 

It is capped at one performance per day (i.e. venues could not apply for a matinee and an evening performance on the same day).

 

The Fund reimbursement is for performances of original NZ music only. This excludes open mic nights, comedy evenings, DJ’s playing other peoples songs, imitation-based performances

 

Applications are open from Friday 1 October and close at 5:00pm on Friday 29 October 2021 or when the Fund is fully distributed, which may be before this date.

Applications will be accepted from businesses that are music venues of less than 1,000 capacity and have a track record of original New Zealand music performances. Applications are encouraged from venues outside of the main centres to support ongoing domestic live touring both nationally and in the regions.

 

Qualifying Music Venues

To assess whether or not a place qualifies for this round of the NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund it’s expected that an establishment has an active OneMusic licence and can meet at least three of the following eligibility criteria:

a. It has track record of hosting original, live New Zealand music

b. It has an organisational focus on original, live New Zealand music, with other ancillary services (alcohol, food, merchandise) subsidiary to or dependent upon music activity

c. It possess the amenities and infrastructure of a music venue

d. It occupies an important role within their local community as a hub for live New Zealand music.

 

Eligibility of other venues who can’t meet three of the above will be considered on a case by case basis if they reach targeted, underserved communities (particularly in the regions and/or for all ages audiences).

 

Applicants will also need to supply a schedule of all the original live NZ music performances held in the past year, alongside a forecast of music events intended for the coming twelve months (NB. The forecast is the number and regularity of shows, not a confirmed booking schedule). Contributions from the NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund cannot be used for the purchase of stock or alcohol.

 

You can read the Q&A sheet for the COVID-19 Delta Relief Package - NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund here.

 

To apply for the COVID-19 Delta Relief Package - NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund complete the online application form here.

 

You contact the Music Commission either by email to venues@nzmusic.org.nz or call 09 3760115.

 

The Fund will close at 5:00pm on Friday 29 October or when the COVID-19 Delta Relief Package round of the NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund is fully distributed, which may be before this date.

 

Application does not guarantee payment or the approval of a grant.

 

The total investment for the COVID-19 Delta Relief Package - NZ Music Venue Infrastructure Fund is $1.5million and the full list of successful applicants will be published on the Music Commission website.


 

 

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