The Live performance support scheme is open for applications
The government have been on a roll in the last few months releasing funding for the hospitality and tourism industry. The Tourism business continuity scheme, Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC), The employment wage subsidy scheme and the Covid restrictions support scheme. While these supports are very welcome to a struggling industry- some businesses cannot qualify for these schemes. The entertainment industry has been hit hard by Covid 19 restrictions. With no date in site of when we can hold concerts, performances or large gatherings, the New Live performance support scheme is a chance for promoters, actors, musicians and venues to look forward.
So what is the €25m Live performance support scheme?
In 2020 a pilot scheme was launched with 5m in funding to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters to plan live performances across the country over the coming months. A total of 58 organisations benefitting from the scheme. Performances were organised for online viewing from mid-November to February and provided thousands of days of employment for the sector.
Following on from the success of the pilot project, Minister Martin has announced a 50m suite of measures to support the live performance sector. Included in this pot is the €25m live performance support scheme. (Also included is €14m new support scheme for live entertainment businesses, €5m to local authorities for outdoor live performances, €5m capital supports for live entertainment sector and €1m to St. Patrick’s Festival).
The Live performance support scheme is open to any entertainment business with a history of live performances. That includes venues, bands, promoters, producers and lots more. The funding can be used for venue hire, marketing expenses, technican fees, paying support staff and lots more.
Is your business eligible?
Taken directly from the Gov.ie website you must satisfy the following criteria:
- 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
From attending the Event Industry Association of Irelands webinar on the 23rd of March we established the following. Your live event can be a series of events held over the summer. Depending on Covid Guidelines it can be attended by the public and live streamed. It can be a ticketed event or free event.
How do I apply?
To apply for the scheme you must fill out the application form and submit it to liveperformance2021@tcagsm.gov.ie. The closing date is the 14th of April 2021 and they are being very strict with the close off time of 1pm. The scheme is open to businesses who have previously received Covid 19 financial supports. The application form will ask you to summarise all the live performances that your business has been involved in from 2018 onwards.
Section 4 asks for your proposed performance details- make sure you have all of your research done for this section. Section 5 is based on your estimated income and production costs. If you have your research done for section 4 then this section should be completed quickly.
Section 6 and 7 is your summary of costs and declaration that all information is correct.
This scheme presents a great opportunity to so many businesses to make the most of the summer. And also to support artists, local promoters, local technicans and so many other people who have been out of work. The minimum grant starts at €10,000.
You can find all details on the scheme here as well as the application form and guidelines.
If Back Office Marketing can help any business with marketing a live event or completing the application form, please contact Helen on info@backofficems.ie
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