Mothership Bailout Fund

The lights will be kept on at Marrickville based arts and entertainment venue, Mothership Studios, after it successfully crowdfunded enough money to pay cash owing for utilities.

For the past six years, Mothership Studios has provided an affordable venue and gallery space for independent artists, filmmakers and other performers. It’s provided a home for events from drag shows to wrestling. But with COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting “non-essential” gatherings, spaces like Mothership Studios face a rocky path ahead.

“Unfortunately between the floods and the plague things are starting to look a little grim so I’m reaching out to all y’all to lend a hand if you can,” founder of Mothership Studios, Herbert Peppard, said in a post to GoFundMe.

“We have had some very generous accommodations which are allowing us to move ahead covering our significant monthly rental on the premises until the storm blows over but the utilities still want their pound of flesh.”

Mr. Peppard was hoping to raise $6000 to pay the bills, but the community threw their support behind the cause, helping the venue hit their goal in less than 24 hours.

“I for one am totally bowled over by the amount of community support we have received in spite of the dire circumstances you are all facing,” Mr. Peppard said.

Peppard said that the crowdfunding page will be open for another week “in the hope of accumulating a small safety barrier against other unforeseen expenses”. The crowdfunding campaign has now passed $7000, with more donations coming in.

“With your help we will be able to hit the ground running once the storm has passed.”