The battle for Temperance Hall

As arts organisations around the country grapple with the fate of recent Creative Australia grant announcements, Melbourne’s queer, performance and dance communities are banding together and rallying behind the much loved Temperance Hall.

In early 2022 as Melbourne began to re-emerge from lockdowns, Temperance Hall was dealt its first blow, losing its multi-year organisational funding from Creative Victoria. Instead, it was offered “Strategic Initiative” funding. While this may look good in writing, the subsequent amount offered was a staggering 41.5% less than its previous funding. At only $75,000, this funding was to cover just 18 months of Temperance Hall’s operation with no security beyond this date, whereas previously it was supported to the tune of $128,250 per annum.