Minister Catherine Martin,TD has now opened the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 for applications. This new scheme which has been widely welcomed by the sector, builds on the very successful outcomes of the previous pilot scheme which recently provided thousands of days of employment to hundreds of musicians, actors, crew and technicians when no other opportunities were available. This amount is in addition to the recently announced €50m suite of measures to support the live entertainment sector.
This enhanced scheme will provide significant job opportunities, with thousands of musicians, performers, crew and support staff benefiting from this scheme. It will also support the continued production of high quality artistic output, as was demonstrated during the pilot phase of this scheme.
The objective now is to support employment and wellbeing opportunities in the live performance sector across all genres, from new and emerging artists to the more established, and continued high quality artistic output for the general public.
Key features of the Live Performance Support Scheme .
- Support live performances that will occur on or before 30th September 2021.
- Support the creation of employment and wellbeing opportunities in the culture and creative industries and the generation of high quality artistic output.
- Scheme is aimed at commercial venues, producers and promoters in the live entertainment sector (e.g. music, entertainment and theatre).
- Awards will range from €10k upwards.
This scheme is aimed at established commercial producers and promoters that create live performances and have a proven record of accomplishment in the live performance sector.
Venues with a proven record of employing local working bands and electronic music may also apply with proposals that encompass these artists.
How to Qualify for the scheme.
- you must show a proven track record of live performances
- you must be planning to hold a live performance/event that will conclude on or before 30 September 2021
- you must be tax compliant
- you must not be funded by the public sector from 2018 – 2020 (excluding COVID-19 supports)
- only 1 application will be considered, initially, for each project promoter
The scheme is open to those looking to:
- support the creation of employment and wellbeing opportunities in the culture, creative and music industries and the continued creation of high quality artistic output
- address the large gap left by the absence of income from live performances
- support performances/work that will conclude on or before 30 September 2021
- support commercial venues, producers and promoters in the culture sector (for example: music, entertainment and theatre)
- support music professionals in all genres and aim to ensure that Irish musicians, lighting and sound engineers, PR, media, agents, labels and publishers can continue to develop and share their work in the context of COVID-19 restrictions
Applications are now invited for this scheme. Application forms, guidance on the application process and further information can be found on the Department’s website . The closing date for applications is 14th April 2021 at 1pm.
Minister Martin said:“I am very pleased to open the new significantly enhanced Live Performance Support Scheme for applications today. This scheme, which has been welcomed as part of the recently announced €50m suite of measures to support the live entertainment sector, will provide vital support and opportunities for continued activity in the sector and much needed entertainment that we all have enjoyed so much recently.
“This will further help venues, promoters and producers to plan events. Furthermore, the benefits will be shared widely, assisting promoters and venues to employ artists, musicians, performers, technicians and other support staff in live performances.”