Happy New Year and welcome back to the first edition of Backstage Pass for 2023!
What a huge week it’s been already with the unveiling of the government’s Revive National Cultural Policy yesterday, which we hope will help to create a strong, safe and thriving music industry for all.
Our sincere thanks as always to all our donors and supporters, whose continuing generosity is helping us to navigate the ever-changing landscape.
Please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have comments or questions.
Best wishes,
Clive Miller
CEO
NATIONAL CULTURAL POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT
We warmly welcomed the release of the Revive National Cultural Policy yesterday and the announcement made by the Hon Tony Burke MP that Support Act will receive $1 million per annum to support our crisis relief, mental health and wellbeing, and First Nations programs.
We thank Minister Burke, the Prime Minister, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland and Special Envoy for the Arts Susan Templeman for their commitment to our industry.
We also welcomed the announcement regarding the establishment of the Centre for Arts and Entertainment Workplaces, which aligns with our strong commitment to leading cultural and behavioural change within the music industry through the development of our Mentally Healthy Workplaces program.
We look forward to working with this new entity, and our other colleagues in industry, to help promote an understanding of the obligations that all businesses have to provide psychologically safe workplaces, and how to achieve and maintain workplace standards.
Read more here.
GUIDE TO SEXUAL MISCONDUCT, BULLYING AND DISCRIMINATION
Last week we launched the Support Act Guide to Sexual Misconduct, Bullying and Discrimination*, in response to the unacceptable levels of harassment, bullying and discrimination in the Australian music industry.
The Guide, which you can read now on our website, is a checkpoint for individuals affected by sexual harm, harassment, bullying and discrimination in the course of their work in the music industry.
It includes information on available support services, including the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline, which offers trauma-informed, survivor-centric support on sexual, domestic or family violence, including sexual harassment. This free, confidential service is available by calling 1800 959 500, option 5.
Read the Guide here.
*The Support Act Guide to Sexual Misconduct, Bullying and Discrimination was compiled with the assistance of APRA AMCOS and Banki Haddock Fiora Lawyers.
MINIMUM STANDARDS
In addition to releasing the Guide, and in a bid to promote safety, mental health and wellbeing best practice across all sectors of the industry, we invite music industry workplaces and employers to partner with us in this commitment by signing up to our Minimum Standards for a Mentally Healthy Music Industry, if you haven’t already done so.
Over 65 companies and individuals have now signed the Standards, including latest signees Canberra Institute of Technology, Heath McLean, HOTA, Kaju Creative, Lemon Tree Music, Mirror Music Group, No Samples Records, Ryan Scoble, Stealth Crewing, The Drama Lab, Tiny Triumphs, Upbeat and WRB.
Read and sign the Standards here.
SUPPORT FOR FIRST NATIONS MUSIC WORKERS
We acknowledge that for many First Nations peoples, 26 January represents the beginning of a traumatic history. We also understand that trauma associated from this day can continue long after the event has passed.
No matter what time of the year, if you are a First Nations person working in the music or arts community and need someone to talk to, please call our dedicated First Nations Support Line on 1800 959 500, option 3, to speak to a First Nations counsellor.
There’s also further information on other support available on our website here.
FUNDRAISING UPDATE
The Australian Road Crew Association’s (ARCA’s) Desk Tape Series is back with its latest release out tomorrow, featuring the Brian Cadd Band live at The Sundowner, Geelong in 1982. The Desk Tape Series raises funds for Support Act’s Roadies Fund. Listen here.
Sunflower Fest will be taking place in Warrnambool, VIC this Saturday 4 February in memory of Guy Heath, with a huge line-up of artists who were friends of the late musician. All proceeds will be going to Support Act. Grab tickets here.
AND FINALLY…
We wanted to share this testimonial from one of our service users who recently received a Crisis Relief Grant:
We wanted to share with you this testimonial from a service user who recently received a grant:
“We are so deeply grateful for the assistance we’ve received from Support Act to pay household bills while I have been receiving brain tumour treatment and recovering from it.
“The extra Coles voucher was very much appreciated too. It meant we could buy groceries to host a lovely Christmas lunch for our family.”
Singer-songwriter
If you need help, please reach out and ask for it. There’s no shame in it and we are here for you. To find out more about how we can help, visit the Get Help page on the website.
