Canberra arts groups have welcomed news of a $250 million funding boost for Australia's arts industry, which has been struggling due to the impact of coronavirus.
However, some say the relief package announced on Thursday was too little, too late, with a lack of support for small or medium-sized groups.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the support measure would include $75 million in seed funding for production companies to put on new festivals, concerts, tours and events, while grants of between $75,000 and $2 million will be available.
Director of the Canberra Contemporary Art Space David Broker said there was little in terms of measures for the visual arts sector, with the amount allocated for grants more tailored for larger businesses.
"We're waiting and seeing if we're eligible, but it's a high amount for a minimum grant," Mr Broker said.
"The support package is primarily for the performance industry, and when the $250m is sprinkled around the sector, visual arts are likely to get nothing."
Before coronavirus hit the industry, the art space was set to move into a new home next to Lake Burley Griffin.
Now its director said two years of programming had been pushed back with many exhibitions up in the air. "The whole sector is up in arms and galleries and museums are expected to be open and full of optimism to carry us through this," Mr Broker said.
Chief executive of Screen Canberra Monica Penders was more optimistic about the relief measures.
"Certainly anything at this stage is a step forward. One of the big issues has been we can't insure productions against COVID-19, and what the funding might do is alleviate some of the issues," she said.
"What I would like to see is projects start back up again that had to stop."
Artistic director of the Belconnen Arts Centre Monika McInerney said the centre had only just opened a new performing area before the lockdown happened.
She said the arts sector had been resilient during the months of closures.
"This is an enormous opportunity and we wanted to be able to find ways of engaging with artists to be able to have some incoming coming in again," Ms McInerney said.
