IMPORTANT UPDATE FROM AUSPICIOUS ARTS PROJECTS REGARDING COVID-19
To our clients, colleagues, and talented artists,
With the evolving health restrictions being imposed, Auspicious Arts Projects will continue to function as normal however we have closed our office and will be working remotely from Monday, March 16 until health officials notify us otherwise.
We are very lucky and have the luxury to be able to do this unlike some other parts of the industry that we’re now seeing, but please be aware that we are still here to assist YOU!
You will still be able to contact us through the regular phone and email channels, however the best method to reach us is to email us at info@auspicious.com.au (or directly to your client managers) with your phone number and we will be able to call you.
Please be aware that there will be some delays as we respond to our clients who are facing loss of work and major changes to projects, however we will try our best to continue our work in supporting and assisting all our amazing artists and clients during this difficult time.
NEW GRANT APPLICATIONS
For those that are applying for upcoming grants and would like Auspicious to auspice their project, please send an email to info@auspicious.com.au with the following details:
your contact details
what grant you are applying for
a short description of your project
a budget of your project
Please be aware that we require a draft budget at least one week before the grant deadline or we cannot guarantee we will be able to assist.
CURRENT GRANTS AND EXISTING PROJECTS
To our current clients that have already received funding, have projects cancelled, or who are unsure and are concerned about the next steps to take during this uncertain time, please contact your client managers directly to discuss any concerns.
We have also provided a short list that may assist as well as a list of useful references. These suggestions are dependent on your project and should be taken on a case by-case basis:
Contact funding bodies to prepare for any variations to your project, whether you are yet to start or halfway through your project. Some variations may include delaying your project or possibly changing the outcome. Your grant officer will be able to assist.
If box-office has been lost due to a cancellation, check whether your budget allows for artists and major production costs to still be paid. Keep communication open with those you are working with - it may mean negotiating smaller fees for artists, for them to volunteer or donate wages, or to organise delayed payments on invoices.
Consider renegotiating your contracts - find out if it’s possible for your project to be delivered at a later date, and if a deposit or part payment can be paid to you in the interim to alleviate any financial stress on the project.
Check your contracts. It may be the case that you could be compensated for any cancellations, so specifically pay attention to Forge Majeure clauses and any act of government clause.
Look at ways of moving your project into a digital format – for example, workshops to be presented online, creating online communities for focus groups, using YouTube or other online video sites to show video footage of development processes, creating a website to showcase an online exhibition and/or utilising online music platforms.
If possible, try to use this time at home to focus on project developments. This may mean contacting those working on the project remotely by phone or video conferencing.
It is undeniable that there will now be major losses within the industry, so we ask you to take care. We urge everyone to look after themselves and each other and to continue to follow the advice of government health authorities.
We are all in this together!
Regards,
The Auspicious Arts Team x