Many Australian children face long-term disadvantage due to poor access to quality education. Despite the best efforts of teachers and parents during the COVID-19 school disruption, students who experience disadvantage in the community were more likely to struggle with remote learning than others. Providing vulnerable children who are at risk of falling behind with opportunities to engage in learning as never been so important. The Song Room music and arts-based education programs have a dramatic effect on students’ connection to their learning, improving their school performance, confidence and their opportunities for success. Find out more about The Song Room.
© Image/Photo courtesy of The Song Room

The funding will enable Support Act to provide crisis relief to artists, crew and music workers who have lost their jobs and income as a result of COVID-19, and to upscale and extend access to the Support Act Wellbeing Helpline to all members of the arts industry. The Tony Foundation partnered with Support Act in 2018 to establish their Wellbeing helpline and continues to provides ongoing support as an ongoing commitment to the music industry. Read more here.

Whilst our operations have shifted to working remotely, we want to let you know that we are prepared for the hard work that the next few months will likely entail. We will continue to support our pioneers and let them adapt and evolve as necessary, they need our partnership now more than ever. We are continuing to be active in the market looking for the next great companies to back. With challenge comes innovation. If you are an impact pioneer and your business fits without our investment themes, get in touch.

The Tony Foundation will be providing an additional donation in an effort to help those that have been directly affected and impacted by this last bushfire season. Experiencing a disaster of this unprecedented nature can have a long-term impact on a person’s emotional wellbeing, this is especially true for children if they are not provided with the right support. Our donation will go towards a combination of programs from various organisations to assist kids, educators, support networks and remote communities to cope in these difficult circumstances and help with community rebuilding and socio-emotional rehabilitation. One of the organisations we will be supporting is KidsXpress. You can read more here.

Told through the eyes of Bangarra's artistic director Stephen Page, it's the story of how three Aboriginal brothers took a company in its infancy and turned it into a world renowned Indigenous cultural powerhouse. The documentary will premiere at the Sydney film festival in June 2020, followed by a theatrical run and television broadcast on the ABC. For more information please visit Documentary Australia.

Muso is a company that seeks to create a positive impact by increasing opportunities for live entertainment while providing artists with greater access to performance opportunities. The investment reflects Alberts heritage, its long association with the music industry and ongoing support of pioneers passionate about live music. For further details: The Industry Observer, Startup Daily, The Australian.
© Image/Photo courtesy of Muso