News and Information

Peterborough, ON – The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) is pleased to release the full schedule for Artsweek SHIFT², a small but mighty, multidisciplinary ‘pocket festival’ of arts events, presented both in-person throughout Peterborough and online, between now and July 31, 2021.  (See full schedule at the bottom of this Media Release.)

Artsweek SHIFT² includes nine innovative and exciting projects by local artists and arts organizations working in a wide range of artistic disciplines, crafting events specifically to meet the challenges of presenting work during a pandemic. Don’t miss circus shows on Armour Hill, spoken word on Instagram, theatrical monologues on Zoom, collaborative audio works on Trent Radio, a multimedia puppet show presented live to one audience member at a time, and more. All Artsweek SHIFT² events are free!

Full details on all Artsweek SHIFT² projects, including times, links, event details, and artist bios, can be found on the Artsweek SHIFT website.

Artsweek SHIFT is a special COVID-19 pandemic project created by EC3 in response to the postponement until September 2021, of Artsweek 2020, the city’s multi-disciplinary festival of the arts. Artsweek SHIFT began with series of arts events that took place in-person and online in October to December 2020, including curated projects Downtown and Post-Code Tour.

The second phase, Artsweek SHIFT², included an Open Call for Proposals for 13 Mini Grants to Professional Artists (announced previously), as well as the 9 Project Production and Presentation Grants that form the basis for this ‘pocket festival.’

A complete list of all Artsweek SHIFT² projects and details about the ‘pocket festival’ can be found on Artsweek SHIFT’s website, and regular updates will be provided on Artsweek’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

EC3 thanks our amazing funders and sponsors The City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) for their generous support in making Artsweek SHIFT² possible.

Artsweek SHIFT² Schedule

Click to see full resolution images.

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

“The show must go on: ‘Arts Week Shift’ offering pandemic safe performances throughout Peterborough and online” by Teresa Kaszuba, CHEX/Global.

Peterborough, ON – The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) is pleased to announce the distribution of $19,500 in Mini Grants to 13 local professional artists as part of Artsweek SHIFT².

These grants support a wide variety of creative research, production and professional development activities that aid local artists in expanding and advancing their artistic practice and furthering new work, at a time when sales and public presentation fees have all but disappeared due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects include the transformation of theatre and dance works into film, music album production, mentorships, and work on new novels from local writers.

A complete list of the artists and projects is included in this Media Release, and is also available on the Artsweek SHIFT website.

These projects were selected following an Open Call for Proposals for a program of Artsweek SHIFT² Mini Grants to Professional Artists. This was a competitive program and a five-member Peer Jury assessed the 47 eligible applications, and each of the 13 successful applicants received a grant of $1,500.

Artsweek SHIFT is a special pandemic project created by EC3 in response to the postponement until September 2021, of Artsweek 2020, the city’s multi-disciplinary festival of the arts. Artsweek SHIFT began with series of arts events that took place in-person and online in October to December 2020, including curated projects Downtown and Post-Code Tour.

The second phase, Artsweek SHIFT², included both the Mini Grants to Professional Artists, as well as a series of Project Production and Presentation Grants (announced previously) that will support a ‘pocket festival’ of arts activities to take place live in Peterborough and online between May and July 2021.

A complete list of all Artsweek SHIFT² projects and details about the ‘pocket festival’ can be found on Artsweek SHIFT’s website, and regular updates will be provided on Artsweek’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

EC3 thanks The City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) for their generous support in making Artsweek SHIFT² possible.

Artsweek SHIFT² Mini Grants to Professional Artists Recipients

Alex Bierk: Opioid Crisis Project
Visual arts project allowing the artist to use his voice and reach to speak to the opioid epidemic.

Dreda Blow: How Pleasant to Know Mr. Lear!
A devised theatre piece exploring the extraordinary life and work of British poet and illustrator Edward Lear, through dance, text, music and puppetry.

Nikki Cobden: Exploring the Ancient Technique of Sand Casting
Creation of a collection of silver jewellery using the ancient technique of sand casting, and the development of more complex and challenging pieces.

Jon Hedderwick: Enkidu
Mentorship, workshopping, and production of two to three in-progress performances of his first original solo theatre performance, Enkidu, based on The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Karol Orzechowski: penumbra // antumbra
A live performance of a new song suite by Garbageface, along with a very limited physical pressing of the music album it represents.

Tristan Peirce: You Also Inherit the Stories
Uncovering the history that the artist’s father and grandfather left to them through their photos, negatives, slides, and super 8/8mm film.

Benj Rowland: Community Garden Solo Album – Completion of Project
Manufacture, promotion and release of a new solo album entitled Community Garden.

Wes Ryan: Cornered
An interactive abstract art installation, created by people with disabilities, inviting audiences to reinterpret and reimagine the spaces in which we live, work, and play.

Ireni Stamou: Bone Stories Reimagined
Creation of a short dance film, Bone Stories Reimagined with filmmaker Eryn Lidster, as part of artist residency with Public Energy Performing Arts.

Kate Story: Save Us from Wreck
The development of a new novel, Save Us from Wreck, about a theatre artist in a world of magic.

Esther Vincent: Outbreak Report
Continuation of work on the second draft of novel Outbreak Report.

Ziysah von Bieberstein: Poetry to Page Mentorship
A six-month mentorship with award-winning poet Alessandra Naccarato geared toward moving spoken word performance to the page.

Hilary Wear: Granny Kokum movie-making & improvising with camera-artist
Two Peterborough-area artists and collaborators practice making movie shorts and clown-based performance pieces, exploring, improvising and devising, using filmmaking.

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

Hello all,

We hope that everyone is enjoying the warm weather. Before we all sign off for the long weekend, we just wanted to provide a reminder that the Nomination Deadline for the Peterborough Poet Laureate Pilot Program is this coming Tuesday, May 25 at 11:59 pm.

Created by EC3 in collaboration with the City of Peterborough and the City’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Advisory Committee (ACHAC), the Peterborough Poet Laureate is an honourary position that recognizes the excellence and outstanding achievements of professional poets (both print/page and spoken word) living and working in our city and enhances our civic identity and sense of place.

The Poet Laureate serves a one-year term, acting as an advocate for poetry and spoken word art, for the arts in general, and for the City of Peterborough and its residents. They will compose works to be presented at Peterborough City Council meetings and other official City of Peterborough events and occasions. The Poet Laureate will receive an honourarium of $2,000.00.

If you know a deserving print/page poet or spoken word artist who you think can represent the community and our city, nominate them. Or, if you want to be the Poet Laureate, get someone to nominate you.

Find the full Program Guidelines and Nomination Form HERE.

In case you missed it….

Last week, EC3 held an Information Session on the Poet Laureate program via Zoom, that provided information on the program guidelines, explained how to put together a Nomination/Application, and provided tips and tricks on making a successful Nomination/Application.

If you would like to watch this session there is a recording of the workshop on our YouTube channel, and you can find a copy of the workshop’s PowerPoint presentation on our website.

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 Arts Alive Fund has $100,000 to help local arts organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for reopening” by Sarah McNeilly, KawarthaNOW.

Good news to share this week….

The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) is pleased to announce the launch of its Strategic Recovery and Resilience Grants Program made possible by the Peterborough Arts Alive Fund (PAA Fund). This program is an EC3 initiative in cooperation with the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough (CFGP).

The Peterborough Arts Alive Fund provides grants to arts organizations with charitable status (and incorporated not-for-profits who have partnered with a “fiscal sponsor” who is a registered charity) based in Peterborough or the surrounding region (Peterborough County, Curve Lake and Hiawatha First Nations), working in any discipline and in any capacity, to assist them to effectively manage the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, respond creatively to the current situation, and prepare for safe and robust reopening when they can. Grants are available for between $1,500 and $10,000.

Information on the PAA Fund and the Strategic Recovery and Resilience Grants are available on the EC3 website and the Program Guidelines and Application form are available through CFGP’s online portal. All applications must be made through the portal on the CFGP website.

For information on the PAA Fund or questions about your application, please contact EC3 Executive Director Su Ditta at electriccitycc@gmail.com.

The Deadline for Applications is June 7 at 9:00 pm.

Applications are only accepted through the CFGP online portal.

For an arts organization to be eligible, it must be a registered charity or be an incorporated not-for-profit arts organization with a “fiscal sponsor” who is a registered charity. Priority will be given to professional arts organizations. Please see the EC3 website or CFGP’s online portal for further information on eligibility and other guidelines.

Thank You!

Our sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude go out to all the EC3 and CFGP donors who made this program possible, to the City of Peterborough for its very generous contribution to the Fund and to the Peterborough Performing Arts Recovery Alliance for its additional fundraising efforts.

Additional Information

The Peterborough Arts Alive Fund

This fund, organized and administered jointly by the Electric City Culture Council (EC3) and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough (CFGP), with additional fundraising support from the Peterborough Performing Arts Recovery Alliance (PPARA), EC3’s individual private donors, CFGP endowment donors, and a major contribution from the City of Peterborough, provides financial assistance to arts organizations to undertake both immediate, and strategic, long-term action to ensure that their organizations survive the impact of COVID-19 and continue to thrive in the future. The program is open to local arts organizations who have experienced revenue losses resulting in a negative financial, HR, or creative programming impact due to COVID-19, including liquidity, cash flow issues and deficits, staffing, infrastructure, audience attrition, revenue or artistic development, etc.

The Peterborough Arts Alive Fund supports the Strategic Recovery and Resilience Grants program for arts organizations who, in collaboration with individual artists and other not-for profit arts groups in their discipline(s), will work to stay strong, weather the COVID-19 pandemic, plan effectively for recovery (both short and long term), and deliver a successful “reboot” for the entire arts sector and cultural infrastructure.
This Fund provides grants to local arts organizations working in any discipline and in any capacity (creation, production, exhibition, presentation, publication, distribution, performance, etc.). The fund will assist in effectively managing the negative impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic, recouping the costs of keeping the organization afloat during the pandemic, responding creatively to the current situation, preparing for a safe and robust reopening when they can, and planning for a sustainable future.

Purpose of the Grants

These grants are intended to make survival and a great comeback more likely. Like all enterprises and not-for-profit organizations, arts groups need financial support to weather the storm and prepare to reboot once the crisis is over. This sector is full of creative ideas on how to make it through and bounce back hard, strong and fast when the time comes. Artists and community members alike are counting on arts organizations to do just that! The PAA Fund’s Strategic Response and Resiliency Grants will provide them with some of the tools and resources to achieve that goal.

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’s First-Ever Poet Laureate Program is Now Accepting Nominations

Hello Everyone,

EC3 is delighted to announce the launch of the pilot Peterborough Poet Laureate Program, presented in collaboration with the City of Peterborough.  The Peterborough Poet Laureate is an honourary position established to enhance our civic identity and to recognize the excellence and outstanding achievements of professional poets (both print/page and spoken word) living and working in our city.

The Poet Laureate serves a one-year term, acting as an advocate for poetry and spoken word art, for the arts in general, and for the City of Peterborough and its residents. They 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.

Find the full Program Guidelines and Nomination Form HERE.

Nominate a Poet Today!

Do you know an exceptional print/page poet or spoken word artist?

Someone who can act as an ambassador for the arts in general, for the literary arts and literacy in particular, and for the City of Peterborough and its residents?

Someone who can explore and reflect our city’s interests and identities, and add grace and substance to city events?

Nominations are now open for the Peterborough Poet Laureate. The deadline is Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 11:59pm.

Nominations will be assessed by a Selection Committee including peers in the literary arts community, City staff, and local citizens. The Poet Laureate will be announced on June 23, 2021.

Information Session

Want to find out more about the Poet Laureate Program and how to nominate someone (or be nominated)? EC3 is holding a workshop and Q&A session on Monday, May 10 at 7pm via Zoom.

This session will go over the background of the program, the roles and responsibilities of the Poet Laureate, tips and tricks for how to put together a nomination package, and how nominations will be assessed and the Poet Laureate will be selected.

Register for the workshop HERE.

Thank You!

EC3 sends our thanks The City of Peterborough for partnering with us on the Peterborough Poet Laureate Pilot Program. Thank you as well to all the poets and spoken word artists who helped make this project a reality.

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 proud to announce the launch of the Poet Laureate Pilot Program for 2021-2022.

The Peterborough Poet Laureate is an honourary position established to recognize the excellence and outstanding achievements of professional poets (both print/page and spoken word) living and working in our city 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. They 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.

The full Poet Laureate Pilot Program Guidelines and Nomination Form can be found at at https://www.ecthree.org/program/peterborough-poet-laureate-pilot-program/. Nominations are being accepted until May 25, 2021 at 11:59pm, and will be assessed by a panel including peers in the poetry and spoken word community, local citizens, and a City representative.

A formal announcement of the Poet Laureate will be made on June 23, 2021, and their term will run from June 30, 2021 to April 30, 2022.

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).

“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

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

“Bierk Art Fund Bursary up for grabs again for Peterborough high school artists” by Shaun McLeod, Peterborough Examiner.

“The City of Peterborough is seeking nominations for the city’s first-ever poet laureate” by Sarah McNeilly, KawarthaNOW.