News and Information

“Peterborough’s new poet laureate to speak to council Monday” by Joelle Kovach, Peterborough Examiner.

“Curve Lake’s Sarah Lewis named as Peterborough’s first poet laureate,” Peterborough Examiner.

EC3’s Annual Pride Project Returns to Instagram

Happy Peterborough Pride!

The city’s annual 2SLGBTQ+ celebration is on now, from September 17 to 26, and along with that comes the return of EC3’s annual Pride project, Art Loves Pride.

This year, Art Loves Pride includes a series of commissions from local queer artists, shared through EC3’s Instagram account, @ec3ptbo. You can head there now to find a brand-new drag performance by the inimitable Sahira Q, to the tune of “Magnets” by Disclosure ft. Lorde. In the next couple weeks we will have great new works by musician Ále Suárez and poet and visual artist Carlo José Quinones.

In a normal year, Art Loves Pride would include a float in the Pride Parade and activities around Pride in the Park, but for the COVID era, we’ve had to adapt. The online version of Art Loves Pride provides an opportunity for EC3 to support and promote some of the city’s talented 2SLGBTQ+ artists, and to provide a platform for them at a time when many venues for performance are closed off. No matter the form, Art Loves Pride is a celebration of art, queerness, and the close connections between them.

We also encourage everyone to check out the full schedule of Peterborough Pride events, including film screenings, meet and greets, and a virtual edition of Pride in the Park.

And for more Art Loves Pride, check out last year’s EC3 Instagram projects on our website.

Thank You!!

Thank you to Peterborough Pride for your support of Art Loves Pride!

Please stay well and let us know how we can help.
TRACK THE IMPACT.

As always, keep checking the EC3 Facebook page, @ECThreePtbo on Twitter, @ec3ptbo on Instagram, and the COVID-19 Updates page on EC3’s website, where we are providing daily updates on programs and services available for ACH workers and organizations.

Be safe, stay healthy, and please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Su Ditta and the EC3 Board and staff

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

Peterborough, ON – The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and The City of Peterborough are pleased and honoured to announce that spoken word artist Sarah Lewis has been selected as Peterborough’s first Poet Laureate. Mayor Diane Therrien will introduce Ms. Lewis at the City Council meeting on September 23 at 6:00 pm. You can watch the a livestream of the meeting HERE.

Sarah Lewis will serve as Poet Laureate from September 2021 to April 2022 and will create and present four new works for various civic occasions, as well as undertaking a program of special events and activities to promote literacy, poetry, local arts, culture and civic identity.

The Peterborough Poet Laureate is an honourary position established to recognize the excellence and outstanding achievements of local professional poets (both print/page and spoken word) and to enhance our civic identity.

The Peterborough Poet Laureate acts as an advocate for poetry and spoken word art, for the arts in general, and for the City of Peterborough and its residents. She will compose works to be presented at Peterborough City Council meetings and other City of Peterborough events and occasions. The Poet Laureate will receive an honourarium of $2,000.00 and an additional $500.00 from EC3, provided by an anonymous donor.

Sarah Lewis (she/her) is an Anishnaabe Kwe (Ojibwe/Cree), spoken word artist from Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario, who has lived in the City of Peterborough. She is a proud member of the 2019 Peterborough Poetry Slam Team, as well as a national semi-finalist at the 2019 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. Sarah has performed her works at approximately 15 slam poetry competitions and dozens of community events, has had her work published in the Edmonton Indigenous Artists Anthology and will be featured shortly on CBC’s Arts YouTube channel.

She is a mother, social justice activist, performer, community organizer, dreamer, and curious spirit in pursuit of answers about the universe. Her poetry highlights the struggles and more importantly, the resiliency within Indigenous communities. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Trent University.

The Poet Laureate was selected in a competitive process by a Peer Assessment/Selection Committee including well-recognized writers, academics, poets, songwriters and spoken word artists Jon Hedderwick, Gordon Johnson, Lillian Allen, Andrew Ihamaki and Nick Ferrio. The selection was reviewed and endorsed by the City’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee (ACHAC). This was a two-step process; three shortlisted candidates in the competition participated in an interview and presented their work to the Committee. Outstanding finalists also included accomplished artists Justin Million and Ziysah von Bieberstein.

The Selection Committee was deeply impressed by the beauty of Sarah Lewis’ language, the remarkable ‘architecture’ of her work, the creativity and finesse of her presentation, and the all-embracing concepts she brings to bear on ideas about community, citizenship, history and identity.

The City of Peterborough is responsible for the Poet Laureate Pilot Program, which is administered by the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) under the guidance of the City of Peterborough’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee (ACHAC).

The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) is a not-for-profit service organization supporting the arts and culture community in Peterborough and the surrounding region. EC3 provides strategic leadership, research, resources and connections that build and strengthen the sector.

“Through poetry, a Poet Laureate inspires us and encourages us to reflect on our lives and the life of our community. Thank you to Electric City Culture Council for working with the City to create this exciting new pilot program. The arts community is a key part of the cultural, social and economic vibrancy of Peterborough. Our first Poet Laureate is arriving at a milestone in the history of our community as we look forward to emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic when we will build back better together.” — City of Peterborough Mayor Diane Therrien

Media
Sarah Lewis photo

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For Further Information Contact:
Su Ditta
Executive Director, EC3
705 749 9101
electriccitycc@gmail.com
www.ecthree.org

“Spoken word artist Sarah Lewis is Nogojiwanong-Peterborough’s first poet laureate,” Kawartha Now.

On the Provincial ‘Proof of Vaccine’ Requirements for Indoor Businesses and Organizations

Hello Everyone,

This Wednesday, September 22, the provincial government’s ‘proof of vaccine’ mandate will come into effect for many businesses and organizations. Relevant to the arts and culture sector, this list includes: meeting and event spaces, bars, concert venues, theatres, cinemas, and film and TV production (among other categories – see the full list on this page). Patrons will have to show ID and proof that they are fully vaccinated (two doses) against COVID-19 in order to access the indoor areas of these spaces.

Thankfully, our local public health regulation whisperer, Keith Beecroft, Health Promoter, Family & Community Health at Peterborough Public Health, has sent along some updates explaining the rules and how they will go into effect. Take it away, Keith:

“As you’re likely aware, on Wednesday Sept 22, the province will be launching the ‘proof of vaccine’ requirements for many indoor businesses and organizations.

PPH has curated these resources to help support the role out of this new Public Health measure. All of the information you will need can be found here.

We will also refer you to the previously posted documents from the Ministry of Health:

• Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act (gov.on.ca)
• O. Reg. 645/21: RULES FOR AREAS AT STEP 3 AND AT THE ROADMAP EXIT STEP (Regulatory amendments/legalese that will come into force under O. Reg. 364/20)
• Ontario Releasing Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy (Ministry of Health press release)
• Using your Vaccination Receipt: Frequently Asked Questions
• Questions and Answers

For those that need a copy of their receipt: LINK

For those that need to book either their first dose or second dose: LINK

To provide further protection for the community and mitigate the fourth wave of COVID-19, Peterborough Public Health is issuing a letter of instruction for organized sport groups that will be enforceable under the Reopening Ontario Act in an effort to enhance the provincial requirements for proof of vaccination.

No doubt we will have more communication for you before this goes ‘live’, but wanted to give you the pieces you might need to support others under your guidance. (And as always – here if you need us!)

With continued thanks,

Keith”

Hope this information helps and keep the faith, folks!

On Vaccines, Mandates, Workplaces, and Screenings

Hello Everyone,

It’s September, which means the start of the school year, the end of summer, and, as difficult as it might be to admit, a growing fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, arts and culture organizations are trying to plan and make decisions about rehearsals and events as September typically marks the beginning of a ‘new season.’

The Ontario government has announced that, as of September 22, proof of vaccination will be required to enter a number of categories of facilities, including concert venues and theatres.

Locally, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is formally recommending that all Peterborough workplaces implement mandatory vaccine policies.

With all this new information coming in, we once again wanted to provide some updates from our friend Keith Beecroft, PPH Health Promoter, Family & Community Health, who has some information for the arts sector about the new PPH recommendation, vaccines, and more:

1. Formal Recommendation: Workplace Vaccine Polices Strongly Recommended by Peterborough Public Health.

In an effort to save lives, reduce illness, and keep the economy strong, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is formally recommending that all workplaces in the City and County of Peterborough develop (or enhance) their workplace policies to require all employees to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless otherwise medically exempt.

• Press release detailing the announcement
• Letter of recommendation from Dr. Salvaterra to all workplaces
• Website and tool kit to help you create an effective COVID-19 vaccine policy for your workplace (please take some time to review these resources – the website has all of the tools you need to create an effective workplace policy and will answer many of your questions)

This Letter of Recommendation is not to be confused with the provincial ‘passport’ system that will be launched shortly – it is complimentary but different. As soon as we know more about the provincial system, we will send the info your way, until then, these are the resources we refer to:

• Ontario to Require Proof of Vaccination in Select Settings – September 01, 2021 (news release)
• New Requirement for Proof of Vaccination in Certain Settings: Frequently Asked Questions (frequently asked questions)

As of September 14, the Minister of Health has released more information about the incoming mandatory vaccine policy. Petebrorough Public Health will have more information about this in the coming days, but for now, here are the details that were just released:

• Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act (gov.on.ca) (Guidance document from the province)
• O. Reg. 645/21: RULES FOR AREAS AT STEP 3 AND AT THE ROADMAP EXIT STEP (ontario.ca) (Regulatory amendments/leagalese that will come into force under O. Reg. 364/20)
• Ontario Releasing Guidance to Support Proof of Vaccination Policy (Ministry of Health press release)
• Using your Vaccination Receipt: Frequently Asked Questions

2. A number of COVID-19 screening tools and documents have been updated.

Including:

• Self-Assessment Tool
• School and Child Care Screening Tool
• Customer Screening Tool
• Worker and Employee Screening Tool
• COVID-19 Signage Questions for Businesses and Organizations

Please ensure you are using current daily screening tools for your staff, patrons, and guests.

3. The vaccine works and is safe. If you haven’t yet, please book your first or second dose.

Highlights from the data:

“Unvaccinated cases accounted for the majority (95.2%) of COVID-19 cases reported since December 14, 2020 and up to August 7, 2021, with breakthrough cases accounted for only 0.6% (Figure 4).”

“Similar trends are observed for hospitalizations and deaths, with unvaccinated cases accounting for 92.5% of hospitalizations and 92.1% of deaths and breakthrough cases accounting for 0.8% of hospitalizations and 1.2% of deaths (Figure 4).”

“In the past 30 days, unvaccinated adults 60 years of age or older were approximately 14.2 times more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19 compared to fully vaccinated adults 60 years of age and older (Figure 5).”

This page lays out Ontario COVID-19 data nicely.

4. Self-Isolation vs. Self-Monitoring.

You’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 – now what? (This document details scenarios for people that are vaccinated and unvaccinated, in the event of a COVID exposure).

As the nights get colder, and days get shorter it could be easy to become discouraged – especially as news of the pandemic is unrelenting at times. Please have a look at these resources as COVID impacts not just our physical health, but mental health too. (On that note, now would be a great time to head outdoors and admire the ever-changing landscape the Kawarthas has to offer this time of year … after you create a workplace policy for COVID vaccination, that is!) 😊

With continued thanks,

Keith

Please stay well and let us know how we can help.
TRACK THE IMPACT.

As always, keep checking the EC3 Facebook page, @ECThreePtbo on Twitter, @ec3ptbo on Instagram, and the COVID-19 Updates page on EC3’s website, where we are providing daily updates on programs and services available for ACH workers and organizations.

Be safe, stay healthy, and please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Su Ditta and the EC3 Board and staff

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

Following up on the Candidates Meeting on Arts, Culture, and Heritage in Peterborough–Kawartha

Hello Everyone,

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make the Artsvote Canada 2021 candidates meeting last Thursday happen, and to everyone who came out to the event, both in the room at Showplace Performance Centre and online on YouTube. It was a lively and thoughtful discussion of the issues that affect the arts, culture, and heritage sector now, and those that will continue to impact the sector for the next several years.

Watch it Again

You can watch a video of the full event on YouTube, or tune into Trent Radio (92.7 FM), who will be airing the meeting in full this week. (Watch our or their social media for announcement of specific times and dates.)

Find out More

Learn more about where the parties stand on the arts and other important issues. Head to EC3’s Artsvote Canada 2021 webpage for a number of valuable election resources. Browse the party platforms, look at the comparative analyses offered by the Canadian Arts Coalition and Orchestras Canada, and consider which parties have historically supported the arts.

Thank You!!

We have so many people to thank for Artsvote Canada.

Thank you to candidates Joy Lachica, Maryam Monsef, and Chanté White for agreeing to attend the meeting and for engaging with the arts, and thank you to Michelle Ferreri for her video participation.

Thank you to Nadine Changfoot, Fynn Leitch, Emily Martin, Elisha Rubacha, and Kate Story, for sitting on our panel of experts and for their insightful questions.

Thank you to Showplace Performance Centre for their support, for opening their long-closed doors to let Artsvote in, and for their technical assistance with the livestream.

Thank you to Steve Rose and Mike Morritt for their tireless efforts and their expertise to make the livestream happen.

Thank you to our photographer Andy Carroll, whose photos you can see throughout this Bulletin (full photo gallery here).

Thank you to the members of the Artsvote Canada 2021 coalition: Public Energy, Artspace, Peterborough Singers, Showplace, Market Hall, Trent Radio, The Theatre on King, Orchestras Canada/Orchestres Canada, ReFrame Film Festival, SPARK Photo Festival, New Stages Theatre Company, Peterborough Folk Festival’, and Peterborough Musicfest. Your ideas, cross-promotion and energy were absolutely vital.

And thank YOU for attending the event, for asking insightful questions, and for taking arts and culture issues seriously this election season.

Now Don’t Forget to Vote!

The federal election is coming this coming Monday, September 20, 2021. Find out your local polling station and what you need to bring along with you on election day, on the Elections Canada website.

“Peterborough-Kawartha candidates agree on support for arts community” by Joelle Kovach, Peterborough Examiner.

“Photos: Electric City Culture Council hosts Artsvote Canada 2021 debate for Peterborough-Kawartha candidates” by Clifford Skarstedt, Peterborough Examiner.