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Respondent profile

43 performing arts venue operators shared their experiences on how COVID-19 has impacted their work.

Respondent type

• 40% Sole traders
• 28% Companies
• 26% Not-for-profits
• 7% Freelancers.

Industry sub-category (top responses)

• 33% Theatres
• 30% Music venues and arenas
• 14% Entertainment centres.

The following findings are based on respondents’ reported impacts from 1 April to 30 June 2020.

Number of jobs

Jobs in performing arts venues fell 72%. This was based on expected versus actual number of employees reported by partnerships, companies and not-for-profits operating in the performing arts venues sector. There were significant decreases in freelance and contract jobs (down 93%) and casual jobs (down 79%).

Actual versus expected revenue

• 20% - Percentage of expected revenue earned before COVID-19 support
• 50% - Percentage of expected revenue earned after COVID-19 support.

COVID-19 support

• 38% - Received COVID-19 support
• $54,257 - Average value of support.

JobKeeper

Percentage of business entities that received JobKeeper assistance for employees

• N/A - Freelancer
• 15% - Sole trader
• 82% - Company
• 50% - Not-for-profit

Alternative revenue sources

Percentage of business entities that needed to draw on alternative revenue sources to cover lost revenue

* Small sample size.  There were less than 5 freelancers and 0 partnerships in the sample.

Methodology

This fact sheet was compiled from a survey conducted in 2020 by CATALYSE® Pty Ltd on behalf of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. View the full survey report.