COVID-19: Vitalstatisix’s response and actions
17 March 2020
Along with our colleagues around Australia and the world, Vitalstatistix takes the need for urgent action to prevent the spread of COVID-19 very seriously.
In line with federal and state governments’ public health advice, all efforts need to be made to flatten the curve of the spread of this novel coronavirus by practicing social distancing and self-isolation.
Vitalstatistix has closed our venue, the Waterside Workers Hall, to public events, hirers and general public activity, for a minimum of one month. Our staff team will be working from home as much as possible. In addition, all travel for our programs will be cancelled for a minimum of the next month.
These actions invariably include the cancellation of numerous events, projects, and a pause to the weekly gathering of Waterside’s resident choir, Born on Monday.
We acknowledge that the arts sector is going through an unprecedented crisis at this time, and the impact especially falls upon precarious, freelance artists and other workers.
We fully support and will be actively involved in the efforts by Live Performance Australia, Theatre Network Australia, National Association for the Visual Arts and others, to secure emergency support assistance from federal and state governments. This assistance should be targeted to freelance workers as the first priority. We highly encourage workers to report lost jobs and income at I Lost My Gig.
Vitalstatistix will honour funded and budgeted artists fees, such as for our residency programs, regardless of public outcomes, throughout 2020; and we will support the artists we work with to liaise with state and federal funding bodies where needed.
Cancellations and closures are the socially responsible thing to do. They are much more than a symbolic act of solidarity; these actions will ensure that more human beings, including those most vulnerable to this virus, will survive this pandemic.
However, this crisis has made very clear just how precarious artists and arts workers are. Like our many brilliant colleagues and comrades around Australia and the world, Vitalstatistix is committed to continuing to work for a better, fairer and just deal for artists and arts workers in Australia, and promoting community, kindness and justice more broadly.
In solidarity,
Emma Webb, Director, Vitalstatistix
Support Act Wellbeing Helpline 1800 959 500 – a free, confidential service, available 24/7 to anyone who works in the performing arts. They are doing our their best to keep up with the additional demand, but there may be a slight delay. If you or someone you know is at immediate risk, please contact the Emergency Services on 000.
Phone Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or click here for additional services.
Visit ‘Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak’ from Beyond Blue.