The federal government is about to triple the size of its coronavirus rescue package for the arts and entertainment industry, topping up its $75 million Restart Investment to Invest and Sustain (RISE) fund to $200 million.

The fund guidelines will also change to allow more support for smaller organisations, venues and artistic groups, a move designed to help the music industry, which has been crying out for help in the face of venue capacity caps and touring restrictions.

The government spent the first $60 million of RISE funds in November, with big winners, including the Harry Potter stage show in Melbourne, Hamilton in Sydney, Dark Mofo in Tasmania, Circa in Queensland and the Bluesfest in Byron, getting more than $1 million each.

However, eyebrows were raised when a $1.8 million grant went to a single person: Melbourne street artist Tyrone Wright, known as Rone, for an “immersive experience” to be set in a deserted hall.

Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said “strong proposals” for new arts and entertainment productions had come in that couldn’t all be funded with the initial cash.

The program had received 314 applications by November last year, but only a third had been funded.

A selection of these contenders would now get the green light, some potentially as early as next week.

“There’s plenty of great shows and tours and festivals and events that are able to be supported,” Mr Fletcher said.

“It’s very much about generating activity, getting shows put on and generating jobs. We are all seeking to be coming back from the impacts of COVID and we want to boost the spirits of Australians by making sure they’ve got lots of great Aussie entertainers and performers they can go and see.”