Kids in Maitland will be able to redeem the NSW Government’s $100 Creative Kids vouchers and stay connected to creative learning activities during social distancing restrictions, thanks to an expansion of the program’s eligible activities and $1 million in funding to help program providers make the digital transition.
Jenny Aitchison MP, Member for Maitland, said the Creative Kids program offered families an annual $100 voucher for every school-aged child to contribute to registration, participation and tuition costs for performing arts, visual arts, coding, languages, literature, music and other creative and cultural activities.
Changes to the program include:
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$1 million to support digital adaptation grants for Creative Kids providers up to $5,000
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a digital toolkit to help providers pivot to online delivery
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extension of the use of Creative Kids vouchers for online programs and educational materials
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improved Service NSW website to make it easier for parents to find a provider.
The expanded guidelines will ensure children with limited access to the internet, including in regional and remote NSW, have more opportunities by allowing Creative Kids vouchers to cover the cost of more creative materials and equipment.
“We want our kids to be able to maximise every opportunity, despite the impact of COVID-10,” Ms Aitchison said.
Ms Aitchison said $1 million in small business grants to help providers deliver programs remotely via the web and other platforms could provide an economic boost for small businesses doing it tough.
“At times like this, adapting your business can be the key to survival,” Ms Aitchison said. “The digital adaptation grants will flow to more businesses and sole traders in the arts and creative industries, helping to keep people in jobs and businesses in business in a sector that has been hit hard by COVID-19.”
Applications for the Creative Kids provider grants are open. To be eligible, grant applicants must:
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clearly demonstrate adaptation of Creative Kids activities to online delivery,
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describe how this support can maintain or increase voucher redemption during COVID-19, and
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meet the objectives of the Creative Kids program.
