BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
Hope has taken many forms throughout the pandemic. There’s been a feeling that restrictions are only temporary; that live music will return when things go back to “normal” in a “post-COVID world”. However, we are now instructed to get used to a “new normal”. This new normal has placed Australia as a country with one of the highest rates of COVID per capita in the world; a country that even Europe and the United States don’t recommend travelling to.
The new normal has become a way of life that’s consistently inconsistent; predictably unpredictable. At the time of writing, the Australian government had announced a wealth of jobs now considered “essential” for the purpose of returning to work, the arts being notably absent. Music events had been cancelled, yet Hillsong continued live music on a massive scale. On the other hand, New South Wales announced a new program offering financial support to organisers of major events.
How is it possible for artists to navigate work and life while being stuck in the middle of this new normal?
In this interview, we speak with Support Act CEO Clive Miller, who sheds light on the issues facing artists and the environment in which they must work. Support Act supplies vital resources to Australian artists including its 24/7 Wellbeing Helpline, First Nations Support, and Crisis Relief Grant. It supplies hope.
To continue providing these resources, Support Act also needs help and has just launched a 2022 Covid Emergency Appeal.
This article mentions issues surrounding anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation. If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Suport Act Wellbeing Helpline on 1800 959 500, or visit the GP for tailored support.
Clive, I’ll start by saying thanks to you and Support Act for prioritising the needs of artists during the pandemic. Now, to jump into things, I’d like to know what you think Australian arts workers can make of this uncertain industry landscape, as they simply try to continue the lives they have trained for?
It’s definitely not the start to the year that we had all hoped for.
After two very difficult years, artists, artist managers, crew and music workers were all really hoping that this summer would be a great chance to play live, earn some money, and reconnect with audiences and peers. Instead, we are faced with many cancellations and postponements, a massive increase in the number of music workers themselves testing positive and having to cancel work, and a loss of consumer confidence that makes it incredibly difficult for many events to get the numbers they need to be profitable.
So things are as difficult now as at any time since March 2020.
Yep — not a good start. At Support Act, you provide not only financial assistance but mental health support to artists experiencing these issues. How do you feel these two forms of help are intertwined, and what does it mean to artists who are personally struggling to cope?
The impact [of the pandemic] can be devastating for all those who are losing work. In some cases, a high-profile gig can represent a month’s income. So to lose that not only impacts a person financially, but there is the emotional stress of working out how to pay the bills and, in the worst case, avoid eviction; or losing the ability to put food on the table for the family, or keep the phone connected.
It’s a tough life at the best of times for music workers. But it’s the financial insecurity that is directly responsible for the elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and even suicide ideation in our community.
When musicians are facing such extreme challenges in their internal worlds, how can they do their best to remember they still exist within a community? I recall a quote I saw in your Emergency Appeal video (watch below), which talked about the feeling of isolation among musicians right now.
Clearly, every artist and live music worker needs to engage with an audience at some point, and it can be very isolating when those opportunities are cancelled or put on hold; similarly, when you can’t even rehearse or hang out with your peers.
That’s why services like the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline [1800 959 500] are so important, or the various training and education programs that we offer. They not only provide the opportunity for online interaction and engagement, but can help to maintain resilience as well.
Our social workers also provide a much-needed shoulder for our service users to lean on, and we often get feedback as to the healing power of just being heard and understood by a sympathetic counsellor when they are applying for crisis relief.
It’s certainly been an emotional roller coaster for anyone who has worked in the arts industry over the past few years. I know you can’t predict what’s going to happen next, but I’m interested in your educated opinion about the way arts workers can prepare for sustainability. Should they try to work to current conditions with the view of them being temporary, or should they be looking to make bigger changes that will ensure their sustainability in this climate and in the longer run?
I think we have to remain optimistic.
Clearly, vaccines work and they are helping many people to manage COVID infections without being hospitalised or worse.
I find it hard to believe that music workers will ever give up on the idea of playing live, and it has been pretty amazing to see how artists, promoters, and venues have continued to pivot and find ways to work within the current public health orders. We will all continue to do that and sooner or later, we will get back to life more or less as normal.
I just hope its soon and there aren’t more variants.
In order for arts workers to keep receiving Support Act’s assistance, Support Act must raise its own funds. But raising funds during COVID is difficult too. How are you navigating this challenge, and what message would you like to share with Australians who are on the fence about whether or not they should be giving at the moment?
We know it’s been a big ask over many, many months now that Support Act has been asking for help to sustain our services. It’s a very difficult time. But we just keep sharing the stories of the people we are helping, highlighting the impact that we have had — particularly through the amazing support provided by the Australian Government — and our collective desire to keep the flame alive for all those who work in music.
So we hope that if people who love music are in a position to help, they will consider a donation to the Emergency Appeal. It will be very gratefully appreciated.
Learn more about Support Act and donate to its 2022 COVID Emergency Appeal on the website.
Featured image by Miti via Unsplash.
