Resonate Magazine | Australian Music Centre

This letter (see below) from the AMC's Board and staff to our members and our community was sent out in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic - to keep up-to-date about important information regarding campaigns, policy initiatives and current developments, please follow the AMC's social media feeds on Facebook and Twitter. For news updates, see also the Resonate news feed.

As of the afternoon of Tuesday 17 March, the AMC's office at the APRA AMCOS building in Sydney is closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 epidemic, and all our will operate via email and through the website. The AMC's staff will continue to be there to serve you and answer your questions. Read a longer service update.

Dear members and friends,

We wanted to be in touch - the board and staff at Australian Music Centre (AMC) - in these strange times.

During this extraordinary period, it feels particularly important to acknowledge and draw inspiration from the fact that we make music and art on a continent with the oldest living tradition of culture makers on the planet.

We are acutely aware that the changes that are being required of us all in support of public health will fundamentally challenge the viability of how so many in our community currently make art and make a living.

At the AMC we are responding in the following ways

• Urgently lobbying government to ensure that relief packages are relevant to our community
• Continuing to offer services that generate income for creators
• Continuing to promote the work of Australian composers and performers by encouraging audiences to purchase their recordings and resources, and make donations
• We will double our efforts to promote Australian work with broadcasters
• Our staff will be working from home (see here for details)

We also know that there are a number of organisations waiting on crucial funding results. We know that anyone who is privileged enough to find themselves with resources after this funding news will understand the obligation they have to support those less fortunate. We certainly pledge to do so if we are funded.

As you know this situation is changing daily. We will update you regularly on circumstances that affect our community and how we will be responding.

We encourage you to contribute to I Lost My Gig. This call-to-action website tracking income loss will help leverage support for our industry.

Most of all, we really wanted to say that right now we're in solidarity with you, knowing what challenging times these are.

We all have to look out for each other. If you know someone who is struggling, let them know about Support Act and their counselling helpline 1800 959 500.

You can always get in touch with us by email to let us know how you're going.

Stay safe.

Genevieve Lacey
Chair, AMC Board

on behalf of the AMC Board and staff