Music Production Business Support Grant Applications Are Open

Applications have opened for the MusicHelps & Music Commission COVID-19 Delta Music Production Business Support Grants. The intention of these grants is to support live music event production businesses to remain viable and retain staff through the ongoing challenges of the COVID Delta environment.

This is initiative through MusicHelps and the Music Commission is the second strand of our joint COVID Delta response. It is funded by the Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage COVID Delta Relief Package, which was announced by Hon Carmel Sepuloni last month to support at risk organisations, key infrastructure, artists, and projects.

Businesses are eligible to apply if they can show that they are employers providing live music event production and delivery services and that their business has been significantly affected by the public health response to the COVID-19 Delta resurgence.

These grants can be used for:

1.    Investment in alternative revenue streams that will enhance the business’s ability to remain viable and continue to employ staff.

2.    Actions that require investment to assist the business to suspend activity or reduce costs until the event economy returns to a sustainable level.

3.    Contribution towards itemised expenses for a nominated period.

Please note that these grants are for live music production service companies only, and are not applicable for other music businesses. For information about some of the other financial support available as part of the COVID Delta response, please click here. 

If you are a live music production business and you have not been contacted directly, you can check your eligibility and register your interest to apply by emailing: info@musichelps.org.nz. MusicHelps will be able to provide instructions on how to access the online application portal.

To apply, you’ll need to provide information about how the COVID-19 Delta health response has impacted your business financially and the effect it has had on your ability to employ staff; an explanation of how the grant will be used with a budget; and a P&L through to 31 March 2022.

Applications close at 5:00pm on Monday 29 November.

A final reminder – this time is hugely challenging for those in the live music business and the changing environment shifts can have a huge impact on mental wellbeing in our music community. If you need someone to talk to, or you know someone who needs support, the MusicHelps Wellbeing Service is there with phone and online counselling available right throughout this period. The number to call is 

0508MUSICHELPS, or you can fill out the online form here. There is also a list of numbers for many other support services available in Aotearoa on the MusicHelps website here.