April 1, 2020

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

EC3 wants to send a shout out to all local artists, cultural workers and arts and heritage organizations. These are very tough times and we want to say thank you for everything you are doing now and all that you do always, to make our cultural lives in Peterborough so rich.

We are constantly monitoring the situation in Peterborough, responding to questions from the ACH community and lobbying government at every level for sector specific Emergency Response and Recovery Assistance.

This issue of the EC3 COVID-19 Bulletin primarily covers various sources of financial aid that may support arts, culture and heritage workers. It is a bit of a moving target, so please check in on the latest information through the LINKS provided throughout.

Please LIKE and monitor the EC3 Facebook page and follow us on Twitter at @ECThreePtbo.

Federal

CERB Program

As many of you will know by now, the Federal Government has revised its Emergency Response Program and it is simpler and more clearly available to ACH sector workers. The new CERB program information is available here.

Small Business including Not for Profits

There is also a new program to help small businesses and NFPs. More information here.

Federal Income Tax Relief

On the federal income tax front, look here for information on postponements of deadlines for filing and payment.

Other Federal COVID-19 Response initiatives. Federal Student Loans:

See information here.

Department of Canadian Heritage

In a conference call meeting last week with the Minister of Canadian Heritage, organized by Business/Arts, he reported that there were no sector specific response programs yet, but that the CERB program did keep specifically keep ACH workers in mind. The Book and Periodical Fund payments are being expedited though, and should arrive sooner rather than later.

Organizations that have applied to, or are awaiting, DCH grants in any programs should check with their Program Officers for details on how any “end dates”, reporting, approvals, programming changes or cancelations will be handled. Better to do this sooner rather than later. DCH information here.

Canada Council for the Arts

While no announcement has yet been made regarding COVID-19 financial support for artists, Canada Council for the Arts has asked people and organizations to document the effects on their operations and published a range of special arrangements for applying and granting. See here for information on Canada Council programs.

Municipal

Community Investment and Project Grants

We understand from City staff and Councillor Riel (ACH portfolio and ACHAC Chair), that Council met on Monday, March 30, 2020 and the grants received final approval.

This meeting was particularly crucial for the Community Investment and Project Grants final approval and the disbursement of those funds. EC3 worked with ACHAC members, Councillors Riel and Akapo, and City staff on COVID-19 relief/response conditions attached to those grants. The same letter will go out to Service Grant recipients. We are confident City staff will move as fast as they can to get those monies out to you. EC3 has also proposed some other relief initiatives to the City and we are waiting to hear back on those. We will keep you updated.

Municipal Property Tax

Information on property tax relief.

Information on the Municipal Emergency Financial Support Fund.

Provincial

Queens’s Park

Information on provincial COVID-19 relief/response programs is in this rather dense document.

It looks as though there is student loan relief, some tax deferrals and there will be funding flowing to the municipality.

Ontario Arts Council

This link connects you to the OAC COVID FAQ page. We highly recommend that you contact your Program Officer (s) directly to discuss applications assessment plans, funding and reporting dates and program changes and challenges. Many Program Officers have issued special notices to applicants.

Rent Relief

Many banks will provide various kinds of mortgage payment relief, don’t be shy, call your bank. Also speak to your landlord.

Other Sources of Aid or Information on COVID-19 Relief Initiatives

• National Theatre School: Art Apart
• Writers Trust: Relief Fund
• National Arts Centre: #CanadaPerforms
• CHRC: Cultural sector resources for businesses and individuals
• CBC: resource list, including emergency funding for artists, online training, health resources, and temporary/remote jobs
• Resources for Canadian artists, writers, and media workers during COVID-19 shutdowns
• Support from Canadian financial institutions
• BC Alliance for Arts and Culture: list of resources for artists and cultural workers
• CSARN: list of current provincial and territorial protocols
• Digital Main Street: Resources for Small Business During COVID-19
• AFC: COVID-19 Funding
• The Photographer Fund: $25,000 fund to help self-employed photographers facing hardship
• Curating Care: honorariums for Independent INDIGENOUS Curators and Artists (deadline March 27)
• Glad Day: Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers, tip-based workers
• 25+ Sites for Finding Remote Work
• How to stay connected during self-isolation: some useful tips
• Crisis Services Canada: Suicide prevention and support
• Writers Trust: Woodcock Fund Grant, providing emergency funds for writers mid-project
• The AFC: emergency financial aid for entertainment professionals
• Unison: financial aid for musicians
• CANADIAN Low-Income Artist/Musician Relief Fund: a group fundraising to support a relief fund
• Behind the Scenes:  Basic Needs Grants, providing financial assistance for seriously ill entertainment technology professionals in the U.S. and Canada
• Facebook/National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists: Accepting applications from artists who post a 45 to 60-minute online performance between today and March 31, 2020. Financial grants will be given out from a $100,000 relief fund.

Advocacy Groups that might not be on your radar and could help …

• I Lost My Gig Canada: A space for arts and other vulnerable freelance and gig workers in Canada and beyond to share stories and resources addressing the impacts of COVID-19.
• ArtsPond: Please fill out their online survey.
• Charity Village: Resources for the nonprofit and charitable sector.
• The Canadian Freelance Union: A community chapter of UNIFOR focused on advancing the rights of freelancers in communications and media industries.
• CMG Freelance: A branch of the Canadian Media Guild dedicated to supporting freelance workers.
• S'ATTAQ: A labour union for freelancers.
• ACTRA: Union of professional performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada.
• IATSE Canadian locals: The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts represents behind-the-scenes workers in film, theatre and television.
• Canadian Actors Equity Association: Represents artists working in theatre, opera and dance.
• Writers Guild of Canada: Represents English-language screenwriters in Canada.
• Associated Designers of Canada: A national, professional non-profit arts service organization dedicated to representing the interests of set, costume, lighting, projection and sound designers.
• Canadian Federation of Musicians: Professional organization for Canadian musicians.
• Playwrights Guild of Canada: National arts service association mandated to advance the creative rights and interests of professional Canadian playwrights.
• Soutien à/de la communauté culturelle québécoise - COVID-19: A Facebook group aimed at informing cultural workers, self-employed workers and artists on the measures in place for future government actions for financial support.
• Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists East: A not-for-profit that supports independent dance artists.
• Canadian Dance Assembly: Voice of the professional dance sector in Canada.
• Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists West: An alliance of dance artists.
• Canadian Association of Stand-up Comedians: A group that advocates for comedian rights in Canada.
• UBCP/ACTRA: BC's autonomous branch of ACTRA
• Canadian Independent Music Association: a list of information and resources put together by CIMA.

Online Training Resources

• Skillshare: A free resource with classes on writing, acting and many more topics.
• Toronto Public Library eLearning portal: Free films and access to library materials for library card holders. Also check out Peterborough Public Library
• Calgary Digital Library: Access to library materials for card holders.
• Sourceful: Publicly sourced Google Docs and Sheets.

Health and mental health resources

• Crisis Services Canada: Providing suicide prevention and support. Call 1-833-456-4566.
• NABS support line: Confidential and professional assistance to marketing and communications professionals. Call 1-888-355-5548.
• Unison Counselling and Health Services: A toll-free number to connect Canadian music professionals with resources and support for personal and practical issues in English and French. Call 1-855-986-4766.
• CareMongering-TO: TO Community Response to COVID19: Facebook group connecting people in need with helpers in Toronto.

Temporary/remote job opportunities

• 25+ Sites for Finding Remote Work: A list of places you may find remote work.
• Resources for Remote Work: Google Doc with job postings that can be done remotely.

As more details become available, we will send out new bulletins. Please share any other information you may have.

Thinking of everyone in the ACH sector, friends and family.

Stay well and take care. Please don’t hesitate to call.

All the best,

Su Ditta and the EC3 Board and staff

Su Ditta
Executive Director
Electric City Culture Council (EC3)
electriccitycc@gmail.com
www.ecthree.org
705 749 9101

See our News & Information page for all the latest COVID-19 updates.