The country's arts development agency is pulling together a $16 million emergency response package by re-allocating its current funding.
Creative New Zealand's Cath Cardiff said a lot of work had gone into adapting the fund. Photo: Supplied/CNZ
The arts, theatre and television sector is especially hard-hit by the pandemic's effect on the economy.
Creative New Zealand says the multi million-dollar package will support artists, groups and organisations.
A senior manager, Cath Cardiff, said a lot of work had gone into adapting the fund.
"That's a pretty significant move on our part and we've been working very hard over the last two weeks to get these new programmes up with appropriate criteria and instruction and information to the sector about how they go about applying."
Eligible artists or arts organisations will be able to apply for an arts continuity grant of up to $50,000 to support the creation of a new work, or the reframing of an existing project in light of Covid-19, while an emergency relief grant of up to $10,000 will be available to eligible artists or groups experiencing a major loss of income and who have applied for government support.
There will also be a short-term relief fund for investment clients negatively impacted by Covid-19 to help them stabilise their businesses and remain viable, a Creative New Zealand statement said.
Artists and arts groups can start applying for assistance from Tuesday.
- If you have symptoms of the coronavirus, call the NZ Covid-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 (+64 9 358 5453 for international SIMs) or call your GP - don't show up at a medical centre