This is a list of resources for artists and arts organizations working in all disciplines. We will continue to update this list over the next few weeks and months. If you have a resource to add, please send us an email.
Check out our list of arts-related programming and events that have moved online due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Updated: May 11, 2020
Financial Resources
This section includes links to government resources for financial support as well as documents and templates for tracking your finances.
Emergency Support for Arts Organizations (Federal Government)
On April 18, the Federal Government announced $500 million in emergency supports for arts, culture, and sports organizations. More details to be announced soon.
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan
This page breaks down the Government of Canada’s Economic Response Plan to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. It includes:
Canada Emergency Response Benefit
If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.
Temporary Wage Subsidy (CRA)
75% wage subsidy offered to qualifying businesses (including nonprofits) that have seen a significant (30%) reduction in income. You must apply for this subsidy each month after payroll has been issued.
Tips for completing Record of Employment (ROE) forms with respect to COVID-19
Thanks to our colleagues at Saskatchewan Arts Alliance for publishing this helpful document.
Tracking Financial Losses
Great resource from Generator in Toronto including a list of “don’t forget to collect…” line items.
Metric Categories for Tracking Financial Losses
A very comprehensive list of metrics to consider – make sure you’re adding up every dollar!
Income Loss Tracking Sheet
One of the most proactive things you can do right now is a very clear, detailed job of tracking losses. We need to be able to paint a clear picture of the impact we’re feeling in order to advocate for help. Here is one example of how to organize.
Funding Opportunities and Resources
This section includes links to federal and provincial granting bodies, public and private opportunities for funding including grants, bursaries, calls for submission, etc…
Digital Originals – micro innovation grants from Canada Council and CBC
$5000 grants offered on a rolling deadline until June 15. Projects chosen to be highlighted in a CBC showcase will receive an extra $1000.
Small Business Grants from Facebook
$100M in cash grants to up to 30,000 businesses in 30 countries.
Canada Council for the Arts
Watch this space for updates on how the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is affecting CCA’s programs and services.
ArtsNL
To assist with proactively preventing the spread of COVID-19, ArtsNL offices will be closed until further notice. However, to ensure that operations continue, ArtsNL staff will be working from home during that period and can be reached via email.
Please be assured that ArtsNL will do our best to find ways to accommodate any funded individual, organization or school that faces unexpected changes to planned activities as a direct result of COVID-19. To that end, we have created some FAQs to provide general clarity on any decisions you may be facing. In each case, we ask that you contact program staff via email with specific questions.
Cultural Artists Plan for Emergencies (CAPE)
CAPE (Cultural Artists Plan for Emergencies) provides one-time funding to people working in the arts and cultural sectors who find themselves in catastrophic or medical situations and need immediate assistance.
CAPE does not cover loss of income due to cancellation or postponement of events, even in these extraordinary coronavirus-related circumstances.
National Theatre School – Art Apart Bursaries
The National Theatre School of Canada (NTS) is allocating $60,000 in support of emerging artists (as 80 grants of $750). These funds will be granted to theatre artists in training, or artists who have completed a theatre training program within the past five years, to present a piece of art online.
National Arts Centre and Facebook Canada Performing Arts Fund
The Facebook-National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists will provide $100,000 in artists fees to support online performances between now and March 31, 2020 to help ease financial strain for those impacted by the closure of performance venues across Canada related to COVID-19.
Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers, tip-based workers and Glad Day
Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto has started a fundraising campaign to help support LGBTQ2S people during this time. As of Saturday, April 4th, over 1600 people have asked for emergency help. They’ve been able to support 350 people so far – but their new goal is to support 500 people who are in dire need.
You can donate to their campaign or apply for aid on their site.
Fundraising Resources
We will all be talking about how to raise money from fundraising that appeals to businesses and individuals who are all feeling the effects of the global pandemic for a while.
Podcasts, webinars and free coaching sessions
The Good Partnership is a Canadian company focused on helping small nonprofits fundraise.
How to write a compelling emergency appeal
If you want to jump into an appeal right now, here is a short video (from a great series) about what approach to take by fundraising consultants Work Less Raise More
Many organizations did this last week, and then Work Less Raise More hosted Free Review Fridays a webinar where they reviewed submitted letters and newsletters to help tweak them to make them more impactful. Check out the recording of the webinar.
Free resources for creating a Coronavirus Appeal
Including templates for how to ask and how to say thanks. Always nice to see how someone else does it!
Online Platforms & Community Resources
Social Distancing Festival
Online opportunity to share work that was disrupted or cancelled due to COVID-19. Put your stuff out there, feel connected to the community, and hold each other up.
Resource List for Freelance Artists (Canada)
A great crowdsourced list including info on emergency funding, advocacy resources, online training and remote job opportunities.
Resource List for Freelance Artists (US)
This exhaustive list is being updated regularly. Many American resources but also some interesting examples of grassroots projects that have already sprung up.
Estimation of the Economic Impact of COVID-19 on the Live Performance Domain
Frederic Julien, CAPACOA Director of Research and Development, has made estimate calculations of the weekly economic loss based on previous fiscal years and compiled data from surveys. With the help of Kelly Hill, he has four categories of estimated losses: admissions, GDP, output, and supply and use.
Resources for the Live Performance Sector (CAPACOA)
Measuring impact, online forums and supports and recommendations.
Fresh Arts online conversation series: How Artists Can Survive through Economic Downturn
Facebook live events being created regularly by this Houston, TX organization.
Learning & Educational Resources
How to Host an Virtual Event with Vimeo
As businesses and organizations shift their in-person event strategies to virtual experiences, Vimeo’s live production team is here to help navigate these changes successfully under tight deadlines.
Come hear from Greg Palmer, Senior Producer at Vimeo, for expert advice on how schools, event coordinators, marketers, and more are evolving their event strategies to optimize engaging live streaming experiences.
How to Host a Watch Party on Facebook
A 4-minute video that gives you the basics.
Ivy League Courses Online – Free!
Thinking of using this time for some professional development? Here are over 450 courses offered by Ivy League institutions, online, for free. Everything from Computer Science, Business, Art and Design, Health and Medicine, and more from schools like Harvard, Cornell and Princeton.
Check back soon! There’s more to come!
