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Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has today announced recipients of the €5 million in funding to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters to plan live performances across the country over the coming months, with a total of 58 organisations benefitting from the scheme.

The main objective of this pilot scheme is to provide employment opportunities to artists in this uncertain time and allow commercial organisers of live performances to commence preparations immediately and productions to go ahead with either a live audience or to share content through streaming.

Recipients of this funding allocation range from small to large venues, producers and promoters and grants range from €10,000 to €400,000.

The funds will support a variety of live events planned including concerts, pantomimes, theatre productions, festivals, outdoor performances and comedy events.

The exceptional demand for this pilot scheme contributed to Minister Martin’s decision to ensure a much larger package would be available to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters next year as part of Budget 2021 funding.

Speaking today Minister Martin said:

I am very conscious of the unprecedented nature of the challenge facing live performance sector, not least from a financial point of view and accordingly I’m very pleased to announce this funding allocation which I’m sure will greatly assist in the employment of performers, artists, technicians, creative and performance support staff across the sector.

I was also delighted to recently announce €50 million in support for the sector in Budget 2021 – which will encompass a range of supports for live entertainment events to take place in venues next year across the country, and other measures to support music, and a new grant scheme for equipment.

This scheme, designed after consultation with the sector, helps to de-risk the costs of running productions that may be postponed, cancelled or curtailed due to restrictions to safeguard public health. The live events sector was one of the first to close and I want to ensure that it will be supported and there once again for musicians, artists and performers.