Arts Sector News Updates, Local Arts Events, New Video Series, and Grant Deadlines

Hello Everyone,

We hope everyone is getting a chance to enjoy the increasingly warm weather, and taking the opportunity to get out there and rediscover the city.

To assist with that, this Bulletin includes a listing of some upcoming local arts events that we’re excited about, along with a selection of news and information resources that affects our sector (locally and nationally), as well as an updated grant deadline calendar and a new EC3 project to celebrate National Poetry Month this April.

To keep up-to-the-minute on all the latest arts news and EC3 happenings, keep checking the EC3 Facebook page, @ECThreePtbo on Twitter, @ec3ptbo on Instagram, and the EC3 website, where we are providing daily updates on programs and services available for ACH workers and organizations.

Arts Sector News and Updates

Listen to the latest episode of CharityVillage’s podcast, CharityVillage Connects, Alternative Revenue Options for Canadian Nonprofits, about how Canadian nonprofits are re-examining their business models and seeking alternate funding sources to improve resiliency. Got a grant application coming up? CharityVillage  also offers The five R’s of grant writing: Tips for creating compelling applications.

Call for Applications: the Emerging Digital Artists Award (EDAA) is Canada’s major award for critical experimentation in digital media. Established in 2015, the annual prize recognizes and celebrates artists working actively and creatively with digital media. The 2022 award includes five $5,000 prizes and a group exhibition at Trinity Square Video (Toronto).

The Government of Canada unveiled the 2022 federal budget earlier this month. Read Mass Culture’s initial analysis of the budget, as they work towards the 2022 Alternative Federal Budget for the Arts. Mass Culture has also unveiled the results of their Building an Arts Impact Community Datathon, which collected over 40 resources about measuring the impact of the arts.

The City of Peterborough’s 2023 Budget process has begun, with a series of public consultations and an online survey. Have your say about what you think the city should be funding, and what kind of city you want to see. If you live in the Northcrest Ward, public consultations happen April 28, and anyone in the city can fill out the Budget Guidelines survey until April 29.

Jobs! Peterborough Musicfest is hiring for a number of positions for the summer season, including a Host/Event Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, Site Supervisor, and setup and teardown crew (details here). Meanwhile, for young people, the Art Gallery of Peterborough currently has two open positions, Curatorial Assistant and Education Assistant, through the Young Canada Works program (details here).

The City of Peterborough’s Public Art Program currently has an open call for [Artist-initiated Public Art Projects](https://www.peterborough.ca/en/explore-and-play/public-art.aspx). This call is open to both established and emerging artists, including those interested in expanding their practices into the public realm for the first time. Artists can propose artworks in any scale, scope, and medium in any part of the city. Deadline is May 12.

Throughout the pandemic, Business/Arts have been tracking Canadians’ attitudes about returning to the arts through the Arts Response Tracking Survey (ARTS). They recently released the results of the latest survey – watch this video overview, and check out the PowerPoint presentation for all the details.

Local Arts Events

Peterborough Poet Laureate Sarah Lewis is presenting a Spoken Word Poetry Showcase outdoors at the Silver Bean Cafe on May 4 and 6:00pm. This event will feature an open mic, as well as performance by four up-and-coming spoken word poets from Nogojiwanong/Peterborough. Follow Lewis @indigkwe_ on Instagram for updates.

Next month, artists are taking over the former King George Public School in East City as Public Energy presents Erring at King George, a multi-disciplinary arts festival with site-specific art works and performances presented by over 70 artists over two weekends: May 6 to 8 and May 13 to 15. Read all about it in this KawarthaNOW article, and find out more on the Erring website.

Mark your calendar: Peterborough’s Artisan Centre is hosting a new event this year, the Fibre Arts Festival, on May 14. Head to the Artisan Centre’s website for details.

On May 28, the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra will be joined by Ukrainian-Canadian comedy legend Luba Goy, familiar to CBC viewers across the country as part of the famous Royal Canadian Air Farce, serving as host for a light-hearted Concert of Surprises. This will be the PSO’s first concert with a full orchestra since the start of the pandemic. Details on the PSO’s website.

National Poetry Month Video Series

April is National Poetry Month, and EC3 is celebrating with a series of videos by local poets and spoken word artists. Last week we posted the delightful “You’re at Home with Justin Million,” as well as Sarah Lewis’ “More Than a Poem,” and watch for an upcoming video by ziysah. Check our social media, YouTube page, or find the videos on our website.

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

Here are important grant deadlines coming up soon:

• Apr 01: Canada Arts Presentation Fund: Programming(Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 01: Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program (Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 07: Media Artists Creation Projects (OAC)
• Apr 28: Media Arts Projects (OAC)
• Apr 30: Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage – Community Anniversaries (Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 30: Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage – Local Festivals (Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 30: Canada Book Fund – Support for Organizations (Canadian Heritage)
• May 02: Local Grants (Peterborough Foundation)
• May 04: Visual Artists Creation Projects (OAC)
• May 05: Skills and Career Development: Indigenous Arts Professionals and Arts Professionals of Colour (OAC)
• May 12: Artist-initiated Public Art Projects 2022 (City of Peterborough)

KEEP INFORMED, STAY IN TOUCH

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

Please see the following release from Keith Beecroft, Public Health Promoter at Peterborough Public Health, shared on Wednesday, April 13:

“Good afternoon everyone –

Apologies in advance for the length of this letter, but there are many important updates that we need you to be aware of.

I want to go back to a quote we referenced in the early days of the pandemic from Michael Leavitt who was the US Director of Health and Human Services: “The experience reminded me that pandemic planning is made even more difficult because anything you do to prepare in advance of a pandemic seems like an overreaction, and anything you say sounds alarmist. But after a pandemic starts, anything you have done to prepare seems inadequate.” It is with that sentiment in mind, that we share the following with you:

“It is clear that the sixth wave is continuing to surge and I remain very concerned for the health of our most vulnerable residents,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health. “I know this is not the news we wanted to hear before a long holiday weekend, but the safest course of action is to wear a mask and avoid social gatherings and high-risk settings.” We have simple and effective tools at our ready, and we are urging you to consider implementing as many of them as possible in your setting.

The context:

Today, we are moving from ‘high’ to ‘very-high’ on the COVID-19 Community Risk Index. (Please see this press release)

• All metrics are increasing, including provincial hospitalizations and ICU admissions
  • Locally, there are 27 inpatients at PRHC with COVID-19
• Waste water indicators are higher now than they were at the peak of the January Omicron surge in the area served by PPH

Actions you can take:

1. Masks are simple and effective ways to reduce the spread of COVID in your workplace. We are urging you to implement a workplace masking and vaccine policy.
2. The vaccines for COVID are safe and effective. Ensuring you and your staff are up to date with their COVID vaccines will go a long way to protecting both the health of your team, the community, and the economy.
   • The vaccine is proven to decrease the severity of illness should your staff become ill. Additionally, staff who are up to date on their COVID vaccines will require less time off should they become ill (i.e. 5 days off with 24h improving symptoms for vaccinated staff vs. 10 days off with improving symptoms for unvaccinated/under vaccinated staff).
   • Please consider implementing a workplace vaccine policy for your staff
3. Please ensure your staff stay home when they are ill or unwell.
   • In the event that you or your staff are ill or unwell, or have been around others who are ill or unwell – consult ‘What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19’ for next steps
4. In the event that there is an outbreak at your workplace:

Outbreak Definition
An outbreak in a workplace is defined as two or more cases in workers and/or other visitors, with a connection (e.g., same work area, same shift) within a 14-day period, where at least one case could have reasonably acquired their infection in the workplace.

Examples of reasonably having acquired infection in the workplace include:

• No known source of infection outside of the workplace (i.e., no known contact with a probable or confirmed case/outbreak outside of the workplace); OR
• Known exposure in the workplace.

Scenario:
Person A goes to their neighbor’s house for supper and a few days later develops COVID-19. During Person A’s ‘period of communicability’, Person A and Person Person B shared an office and had lunch together.
If Person B, with no other exposure to COVID-19, develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or tests positive for COVID-19, it would be considered a workplace outbreak.

If an employer is advised that a worker has an occupational illness due to an exposure at the workplace or that a claim has been filed with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the employer must give notice in writing within four days to:

• the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development
• the workplace’s joint health and safety committee or health and safety representative
• the worker’s trade union (if applicable)

You may also wish to review COVID-19 Guidance: Workplace Outbreaks. Please report workplace outbreaks to PPH here.

Please note, these are not permanent measures we are asking for, but rather immediate strategies we can activate when they are warranted to reduce the burden on our health care system and protect each other – “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

In broad strokes all of the above is capture here COVID-19 and workplace health and safety and here COVID-19 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (the latter which details employer obligations to reduce the spread of COVID-19 at workplaces).

Health Canada has produced this checklist that can also be used to guide you through the process of working together safely: Reducing COVID-19 risk in community settings: A tool for operators

In this constantly shifting world, we continue to be grateful for your partnership and dedication to protecting our community.

We hope this helps, even a little – please be in touch if we can help with or clarify anything else.

With thanks,

Keith”

Please see the following release from Keith Beecroft, Public Health Promoter at Peterborough Public Health, shared on Monday, April 4:

“Good morning everyone –

With the warming weather, budding trees, and melting snow – here’s hoping today doesn’t feel too much like a Monday for you!

A quick update for you all!

Many of you will remember that from February 28 to March 14, 2022, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) conducted an online survey to receive feedback from local businesses and workplaces regarding their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and to gain a better understanding of the supports PPH can provide in the months ahead. The survey was intended for owners, operators, and managers of workplaces, and responding to the survey was voluntary. All responses received were confidential and anonymous and have been aggregated into themes for the purposes of reporting.

All that to say – thank you for your responses, we are pleased to have your insights and have prepared the attached summary with the findings; we are already starting to incorporate your feedback into our work, and are glad for your continued support!

Additionally, you will recall the “Swiss Cheese analogy” we’ve been using throughout this response – that not one layer or protection is perfect by itself, so many layers of protection are needed. Here are two more layers (tools) that we’ve recently added to the local tool box:

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitoring for Indoor Air Quality
  • Peterborough Library to lend carbon dioxide monitoring devices
• Community Risk Index (Think of it like a weather forecast that you would consult before planning a trip to the beach, or embarking on a trip down the 115 in snowy conditions)
  • Dr. Piggott was on CBC radio this morning [Monday, April 4], and you can listen to him speak about this new tool and the local context; his interview starts at 22:45

As always – please be in touch if there is anything we can help with!

With continued thanks,

Keith”

In addition, since the publication of this letter on Monday, there have been two additional announcements we wanted to share:

• The provincial government is expanding elgibility for a 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose to adults 60 years of age or older and First Nation, Inuit, and Metis Adults 18 years of age or older
• Due to the expanded vaccine eligibility, all COVID-19 vaccine appointments at PPH clinics must be booked. Starting Thursday, April 7 appointments can be booked over the phone by calling 1-833-943-3900 or online.

Local Arts Events and News, COVID-19 Public Health Updates, and Grant Deadlines

Hello Everyone,

We have made it through another month, and while the weather may not be quite as warm as we might hope, things are looking bright in the local arts community. As the province has dropped most COVID-19 health and safety restrictions (at least for now), we are seeing more arts and culture spaces re-opening their doors, more events happening, and more life returning to the city and the downtown.

This Bulletin provides an update on some of those events, as well as passing along with an update from Peterborough Public Health discussing the most recent round of public health changes, and a friendly reminder about some upcoming grant deadlines.

To keep up-to-the-minute on all the latest arts news and EC3 happenings, keep checking the EC3 Facebook page, @ECThreePtbo on Twitter, @ec3ptbo on Instagram, and the EC3 website, where we are providing daily updates on programs and services available for ACH workers and organizations.

Local Arts Events and News

Peterborough Symphony Orchestra returns to Showplace this Saturday, April 2 with As the Sun Rises, a concert celebrating spring’s renewal and hope, including works by Wagner, Elizabeth Raum, and Aaron Copland. Find out more here. Also CONGRATULATIONS to the PSO, who were awarded the Vida Peene Orchestra Award by the Ontario Arts Council. The award is given out biennially to assist Ontario orchestras.

This Friday, April 1 is the monthly First Friday Art Crawl, with many of the downtown galleries and studios (as well as cafes and restaurants) extending their hours and opening their doors to the public. Check First Friday’s website, where a full schedule of events and openings will be posted.

Artspace is expanding their hours, adding walk-in hours (no appointment needed) Fridays 3pm to 6:30pm, Saturdays 12pm to 4pm. They are also available by appointment on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Come check out their exhibit José Andrés Mora: The Mornings in Reverse, running now to May 14, with a drop-in reception at the gallery on April 23.

Kawartha Potters Guild is hosting their first ever fundraising event, Celebrate Ceramics, on April 8. This gala event will include live music, appetizers, and a piece of pottery to take home. Find out more here.

The Gordon Best Theatre has been hosting a number of great events recently. Coming up soon: Kiki Coe headlines the Mother Knows Best drag show on April 2, and Benj Rowland’s Community Garden album release show on April 9.

Market Hall has several shows coming up soon, including an April Fools comedy show (April 1) and Jack de Keyser (April 2). Find out more on the Market Hall website.

COVID-19 Health Regulation Changes

As of last Monday, March 21, the Government of Ontario has lifted nearly all COVID-19 public health restrictions, including capacity limits and mask mandates in most places. We shared this information on our social media at the time, but for your reference, we also wanted to include the full details in a Bulletin as well.

We encourage everyone to continue monitoring Peterborough Public Health’s COVID-19 page and social media in the upcoming weeks and months, as there may be more updates and more regulation changes yet to come. This includes the update yesterday that Ontario (and in particular Peterborough) are now experiencing a sixth wave of the pandemic.

“Good morning everyone,

As of 12:01 a.m. today, the province has removed many of the required public health measures for most businesses and organizations. For full details, please review O. Reg 364/20. This also includes the removal of mandatory masks in many indoor areas. However, masks must still be worn in:

• indoor premises and vehicles of public transit service,
• hospitals,
• long-term care homes,
• retirement homes,
• congregate care settings, and
• clinics that provide health services.

Even though many businesses and organizations are no longer mandated to have masks worn in indoor areas, Peterborough Public Health strongly recommends that local residents continue to wear masks after March 21. To read more about this recommendation, click here. This recommendation coincides with an increase in COVID-19 transmission in our community as observed from the latest COVID-19 local wastewater data. Further to this, there are still thousands of local residents who remain at risk of serious disease if they get infected. Businesses and organization can reinforce our recommendation by encouraging patrons and staff to wear a mask in indoor areas. If you require signage to encourage mask use, please click here. For more information about the types of masks for various settings, please click here.

COVID-19 projections and modelling to assist with your planning

As we move into the warmer months, many businesses and organizations are determining policies and procedures that will be needed to protect staff and their patrons. Information that will be helpful to this planning, is the most recent COVID-19 projections and modelling data released by the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. The key findings were that:

• COVID-19 case numbers, hospital and ICU occupancy have stopped declining; there is considerable regional variation.
• Given the relaxation of public health measures and consequent increase in transmission, hospital and ICU occupancy will likely increase over the next few weeks, but less than in January 2022 and for a limited period of time, if changes in behaviour are only moderate.
• The extent of this increase, and of a person’s risk of contracting COVID-19, will depend on the number of close contacts (especially indoors without masking), vaccination status, and the spread of the more transmissible BA.2 subvariant.
• Older adults, immunocompromised, unvaccinated and marginalized individuals and groups are still susceptible to severe illness from COVID-19.
• A complete vaccine series (currently two doses in children, three doses in adults, four in long-term care residents and other eligible high-risk groups) is the best defense against getting and spreading COVID-19.

In light of the above, Peterborough Public Health emphasizes that a layering of multiple strategies will continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as we move through the next few months:

• Make sure you’re fully vaccinated with three doses of COVID-19 vaccine, or four doses if you’re immunocompromised,
• Wear a mask,
• Ensure the spaces you’re in, especially without a mask, are well ventilated. Click here for a fact sheet.
• Stay home when sick,
• Complete a rapid-antigen test if symptoms appear, and recording them in the PPH surveillance survey here.
• Wash hands regularly,
• Maintain physical distance.

Next steps for PPH:

We are presently reviewing the results of our business/organization survey to determine what is needed to support a variety of sectors over the coming months. You can always find up to date information about vaccines, clinics, and prevention measures on our website, or by calling 705-743-1000. While our COVID-19 updates to you may be less frequent, PPH is still committed to providing you with information as the context and situation changes.

With continued thanks,

Keith”

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

Here are important grant deadlines coming up soon:

• Apr 01: Canada Arts Presentation Fund: Programming(Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 01: Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program (Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 07: Media Artists Creation Projects (OAC)
• Apr 28: Media Arts Projects (OAC)
• Apr 30: Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage – Community Anniversaries (Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 30: Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage – Local Festivals (Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 30: Canada Book Fund – Support for Organizations (Canadian Heritage)

KEEP INFORMED, STAY IN TOUCH

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

Please see the following release from Keith Beecroft, Public Health Promoter at Peterborough Public Health, shared on Monday, March 21:

“Good morning everyone,

As of 12:01 a.m. today, the province has removed many of the required public health measures for most businesses and organizations. For full details, please review O. Reg 364/20. This also includes the removal of mandatory masks in many indoor areas. However, masks must still be worn in:

• indoor premises and vehicles of public transit service,
• hospitals,
• long-term care homes,
• retirement homes,
• congregate care settings, and
• clinics that provide health services.

Even though many businesses and organizations are no longer mandated to have masks worn in indoor areas, Peterborough Public Health strongly recommends that local residents continue to wear masks after March 21. To read more about this recommendation, click here. This recommendation coincides with an increase in COVID-19 transmission in our community as observed from the latest COVID-19 local wastewater data. Further to this, there are still thousands of local residents who remain at risk of serious disease if they get infected. Businesses and organization can reinforce our recommendation by encouraging patrons and staff to wear a mask in indoor areas. If you require signage to encourage mask use, please click here. For more information about the types of masks for various settings, please click here.

COVID-19 projections and modelling to assist with your planning

As we move into the warmer months, many businesses and organizations are determining policies and procedures that will be needed to protect staff and their patrons. Information that will be helpful to this planning, is the most recent COVID-19 projections and modelling data released by the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table. The key findings were that:

• COVID-19 case numbers, hospital and ICU occupancy have stopped declining; there is considerable regional variation.
• Given the relaxation of public health measures and consequent increase in transmission, hospital and ICU occupancy will likely increase over the next few weeks, but less than in January 2022 and for a limited period of time, if changes in behaviour are only moderate.
• The extent of this increase, and of a person’s risk of contracting COVID-19, will depend on the number of close contacts (especially indoors without masking), vaccination status, and the spread of the more transmissible BA.2 subvariant.
• Older adults, immunocompromised, unvaccinated and marginalized individuals and groups are still susceptible to severe illness from COVID-19.
• A complete vaccine series (currently two doses in children, three doses in adults, four in long-term care residents and other eligible high-risk groups) is the best defense against getting and spreading COVID-19.

In light of the above, Peterborough Public Health emphasizes that a layering of multiple strategies will continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as we move through the next few months:

• Make sure you’re fully vaccinated with three doses of COVID-19 vaccine, or four doses if you’re immunocompromised,
• Wear a mask,
• Ensure the spaces you’re in, especially without a mask, are well ventilated. Click here for a fact sheet.
• Stay home when sick,
• Complete a rapid-antigen test if symptoms appear, and recording them in the PPH surveillance survey here.
• Wash hands regularly,
• Maintain physical distance.

Next steps for PPH:

We are presently reviewing the results of our business/organization survey to determine what is needed to support a variety of sectors over the coming months. You can always find up to date information about vaccines, clinics, and prevention measures on our website, or by calling 705-743-1000. While our COVID-19 updates to you may be less frequent, PPH is still committed to providing you with information as the context and situation changes.

With continued thanks,

Keith”

Please see the following release from Keith Beecroft, Public Health Promoter at Peterborough Public Health, shared on Friday, March 11:

“Good afternoon everyone –

We hope that your Friday is off to an uneventful start and the prospect of a restful weekend is on the horizon for you.

Before jumping into the updates, we wanted to share some resources that our friends at Ottawa Public Health have developed. To say this period of change brings many emotions for many people is likely an understatement – and we want to remind you that whatever you are feeling is normal. There are some great tools here so that you can support your staff (and each other) through these changes. Mental health is health.

Working Towards Recovery: Workplace Health and Wellness Guide

• Introduction
• Mental Health and Substance Use Stigma in the Workplace
• Resources

New case, contact, testing, and outbreak management guidance

• As of this week, there is new exposure and isolation guidance; what to do if you have symptoms or been exposed to someone with symptoms.
• COVID-19 Integrated Testing & Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance: Omicron Surge V3 is the most current that you can refer to. Page 15 and 19 have very helpful flow charts.
  • Receiving a booster dose negates the need to self-isolate if the person you are living with has symptoms (ensuring you have a workplace vaccination policy for your staff that requires three doses of an mRNA vaccine can help reduce absenteeism)
  • Updated isolation recommendations for household members of COVID-19 cases/symptomatic individuals (page 16)
  • Updated isolation recommendations for close contacts (page 17)

Upcoming changes to COVID-19 provincial orders and requirements

• This week the Chief Medical Officer of Health announced a gradual move away from emergency measures and resuming operations. This includes a move away from a reliance on provincial direction through mandatory requirements.
• This means that as of March 21, the province has announced that masking requirements in most places (including schools) will be removed. However, masking will still be required for public transit, long-term case, retirement homes, and other health-care settings, congregate care settings, shelters, jails and congregate care and living settings, including homes for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Also, on March 21, all other measures in effect for businesses will be removed, including passive screening and safety plans.
• For further details and timelines, click here.

Next Steps:

Our webpages are presently being updated and we are working on our COVID-19 prevention messages following March 21st. In the meantime, please feel free to refer to the provincial webpages that have been updated with the most current guidance:

• Living with and Managing COVID-19 – includes descriptions of what will come next and timelines
  • COVID-19: Stop the spread – individual prevention measures
  • What to do if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 – new exposure and isolation guidance
  • COVID-19 public health measures and advice – an overview of the current ‘rules’

….All that to say – thank you! And as always – please be in touch of there is anything we can help with!

Warmly,

Keith”

COVID-19 Health Regulations Loosening, Local Arts Events, New Research, Grant Grant Deadlines, and More

Hello Everyone,

It’s March, and as days start to get longer and temperatures start to rise, we are also seeing perhaps the most dramatic loosening of COVID-19 restrictions since the beginning of the pandemic, as the Government of Ontario ends (at least for now) vaccine mandates and capacity limits.

As restrictions lift, we are also seeing more and more arts events happening in the community. This Bulletin highlights some of these exciting upcoming events, along with a roundup of news items from the arts and culture sector, and upcoming grant deadlines.

To keep up-to-the-minute on all the latest arts news and EC3 happenings, keep checking the EC3 Facebook page, @ECThreePtbo on Twitter, @ec3ptbo on Instagram, and the EC3 website, where we are providing daily updates on programs and services available for ACH workers and organizations.

COVID-19 Health Regulation Changes

March 1 sees perhaps the most dramatic loosening of COVID-19 public health regulations since the beginning of the pandemic.

Keith Beecroft, Health Promoter at Peterborough Public Health (PPH), provides the following updates on the new rules, and other topics as well:

“Well, here we are. After nearly two years, the Regulations have changed to permit most activities from happening again, the way we remember them happening before the pandemic was declared. As of 12:01 this morning, we are officially in O. Reg. 364/20, Schedule 4 – “General Rules at the Roadmap Exit Step”. In all iterations of the pandemic response (frameworks, colour coded zones, steps, etc.) – we’ve never come this close to ‘normal’.

That’s not to say that the pandemic is over, and that’s not to say there still isn’t risk in the community – but starting today, these are the general rules that will needed to be followed:

• Capacity limits have been lifted in all indoor public settings,
• Proof of vaccination requirements have been lifted,
  • businesses and organizations may choose to require proof of vaccination upon entry,
• Other protective measures, such as mask/face covering requirements and passive screening of patrons remain in place, and
• Businesses and organizations that are open must continue to have safety plans in place

The repeal of these measures signals that we have reached a turning point of this pandemic such that our health system is not at risk of being overwhelmed. Unfortunately, however, COVID-19 is still very much present in our community and transmission is still occurring. Due to the high number of people with 2-doses of vaccine, and many of these with their booster dose, the threat of severe illness and disease caused by COVID-19 has been reduced. There are still many prevention measures individuals will need to consider to protect themselves from COVID-19 transmission.

• Does this mean we can serve food and beverage again? Yes.
• Does everyone indoors, still need to wear a mask? Yes. With limited exceptions.
• Does this mean that we don’t need to physical distance at our arts space? Yes.
• Do we need to do contact tracing? No.
• Do we need to actively screen staff and volunteers and document the passing of their screening? It’s encouraged, but not required. (At the very least, they would be subject to passive screening requirements)

You get the idea!

The changes are likely welcome for some, and scary for others – wherever you land on that spectrum is fine – and PPH remains committed to helping you navigate ‘whatever comes next’; we’ll continue to be in touch as things change/evolve/get updated.

Workplace Outbreak Reporting Tool
The goal of outbreak management is to identify the source of illness, control the outbreak, and limit secondary transmission. This reporting tool will also add to our local data set, and allow PPH to monitor trends such that we can make informed decisions about COVID-19 in our community.

Our goal is to:

• provide a mechanism for workplaces to officially report outbreaks to PPH,
• provide a mechanism to help PPH staff follow up with Infection Prevention and Control supports (if needed), and
• reinforce employers’ awareness/knowledge of existing resources

The purpose of the reporting workplace outbreaks is not punitive or to demonstrate fault. The information collected is done voluntarily and will be kept confidential. It is our aim to protect the health of residents and visitors in our region, while at the same time protecting the economy – workplace reporting allows us to do both.

Please report workplace outbreaks here: PPH COVID-19 Workplace Reporting.

Booster Doses for 12-17 Year Olds

Ontario has expanded booster dose eligibility to youth aged 12 to 17. Appointments can be booked through the provincial booking system and the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre, as well as at select pharmacies administering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments will be booked for approximately six months (168 days) after a second dose.

Engagement Survey

As the pandemic shifts, so to must our pandemic response; Peterborough Public Health (PPH) is always striving to work in the best interest of the community we serve. As such, we are looking to you, to help inform and guide our work. The feedback you provide in this five-minute survey will help us improve our engagement efforts during our on-going response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please note throughout the survey we will use ‘workplace/setting’ to refer to the sectors PPH has been engaging with throughout the COVID-19 response. We welcome your response, and we encourage you to share this survey with others in your workplace/setting that would like to provide their feedback too.

Responses to this survey are anonymous and information provided will be kept confidential. Participation is voluntary and you can withdraw at any time. The services you receive from PPH will not be affected by your responses or participation in this survey.

We thank you in advance for your invaluable feedback.”

Arts Sector News Roundup

CARFAC has released a new resource, Indigenous Protocols for the Visual Arts, providing practical guidance for respectful engagement with Indigenous Peoples. The guide is designed for the visual arts, but these ideas and protocols are well worth a look for all Canadian artists and arts organizations.

Hill Strategies’ latest research initiative, Artists in The Pandemic: Recent and Long-Term Labour Force Trends, is an instructive look at the outsized impact the pandemic has had on artists. You can also read a previous research report, Innovation and Resilience in the Arts, Culture, and Heritage, Canada and attend their upcoming webinar, Arts Research in Canada – Insights and Absences.

Nominations are open for the National Gallery of Canada-administered Sobey Art Award. Open to artists across Canada, the Sobey Art Award is recognized as one of the world’s most generous privately funded prizes for contemporary visual artists, with over $400,000 in prize money this year.

Locally, KawarthaNOW put out an excellent article, It’s ‘now about survival’ for the Peterborough arts community as pandemic takes a heavy toll, which includes personal accounts from local artists and arts leaders about the impact of the pandemic on the local scene and what is needed for recovery.

Local Arts Events

With the changing COVID-19 health rules, we are seeing a return to more and more arts events in town. Here is a small selection of some of what’s coming up:

After a winter/lockdown hiatus, the First Friday Art Crawl returns to downtown Peterborough this Friday, March 4. Watch the Crawl’s website and social media for announcements about exhibitions, performances, and special events taking place as part of the crawl.

Artspace’s Book and Zine Fest returns this month, with a slate of panels, performances, and digital vendor booths taking place March 7 to 13. The gallery also reopens its doors this month, with the exhibition José Andrés Mora: The Mornings in Reverse, running March 12 to May 14.

The Nogojiwanong Indigenous Fringe Festival is offering a virtual workshop for Indigenous artists on the NIFF-specific tech process on March 15 from 11-12pm, hosted by managing director, stage manager and project/production manager Deborah Ratelle. Email indigenousfringefest@gmail.com for details and registration.

Peterborough Performs returns to Showplace on March 20. This benefit concert featuring over 15 local bands and musicians is raising local awareness of the issues surrounding homelessness, and raising funds for the United Way of Peterborough & District. Tickets available online.

See also the slate of events coming up at Market Hall, Theatre on King, and Showplace.

Black History Month Resource List

Black History Month may be over, but educating ourselves about Black history and celebrating Black voices and creators is a pursuit worth continuing all year long. In case you missed it, EC3 has released a Black History Month Resource List to help us honour and inform ourselves about the legacy of Black Canadians, to support Black causes and Black creators, and to celebrate some of the memorable art being created by Black artists in Peterborough and across Canada. We encourage everyone to take a deep dive into some of the websites, books, documentaries, and events listed within.

Also, watch for the return of EC3’s Spotlight on Local Black Artists later this year.

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

Here are important grant deadlines coming up soon:

• Mar 09: Music Organizations Operating (everyone except festivals) (OAC)
• Mar 31: Arts Organizations in Communities and Schools: Operating (OAC)
• Mar 31: Major Organizations: Operating (OAC)
• Apr 01: Canada Arts Presentation Fund: Programming(Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 01: Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program (Canadian Heritage)
• Apr 07: Media Artists Creation Projects (OAC)

KEEP INFORMED, STAY IN TOUCH

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

Help is Available!

Hello Everyone,

As the seemingly never-ending winter and pandemic drag on, we are hearing from artists, arts administrators, and board members alike that they are beyond weary, stressed out, burnt out and anxious. That’s a tough climate to make art in, and we all need art more than ever. So, EC3 has put together a list of resources that might help if you are in crisis or are looking for some on- going support. Hopefully it helps to know that you are not alone and that there are supports available. Please let us know if you have found other sources of help that you want to share.

Take care of yourselves.

Check out the resource list HERE.

KEEP INFORMED, STAY IN TOUCH

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

Featuring Artists, Events, Organizations, And Social Justice Resources

Hello Everyone,

Every February, people and organizations across Canada participate in Black History Month. It’s an opportunity to focus on the legacy and contributions of Black Canadians in our society. The theme for Black History Month 2022 is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day,” a reminder that supporting and including Black voices and Black creators is something we can do every day, and not just during the shortest month of the year.

During last year’s Black History Month, EC3 launched Spotlight on Local Black Artists, presenting profiles of Black artists living and working in Peterborough. These six profiles were shared on social media and have a permanent home on our website. This is an ongoing project for EC3 and a resource for anyone looking to learn about, program, work with and support Black artists in our community. This program continued throughout 2021, and will return with more artist profiles again in 2022.

To mark Black History Month, EC3 has put together a list of resources to help us honour and inform ourselves about the legacy of Black Canadians, to support Black causes and Black creators, and to celebrate some of the fantastic art being created by Black artists in Peterborough and across Canada.

We encourage everyone to take a deep dive into some of these great websites, books, documentaries, and events: click HERE to access the resource list.

KEEP INFORMED, STAY IN TOUCH

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

COVID-19 Health Regulations Loosening, New Research Projects, Local Home Viewing, Grant Deadlines, and More

Hello Everyone,

Between COVID-19 shutdowns, school closures, winter storms, and pandemic illnesses, it’s been a challenging start to 2022! Thankfully, we’ve made it through January, and starting today, public health restrictions are beginning to ease, and many arts and culture organizations will be able to reopen their doors, at least partially.

This Bulletin provides information on the new provincial COVID-19 health and safety regulations that go into place TODAY, as well as a roundup of arts and culture news and info that’s come across the EC3 desk, an updated grant deadlines calendar, and some local viewing recommendations for the “at-home times.”

To keep up-to-the-minute on all the latest arts news and EC3 happenings, keep checking the EC3 Facebook page, @ECThreePtbo on Twitter, @ec3ptbo on Instagram, and the EC3 website, where we are providing daily updates on programs and services available for ACH workers and organizations.

Ontario Loosens Public Health Rules

Earlier this month, the Government of Ontario announced plans for a gradual relaxing of COVID-19 public health rules, starting January 31 (today) and continuing in February. Particularly relevant to our sector, as of today, concerts venues and theatres will be able to open at 50% capacity (up to 500 people), and museums, galleries and movie theatres will all be able to open at 50% capacity, with no upper limit.

The government’s website has a full list of rules, and you can also read below the latest information from Keith Beecroft, Health Promoter at Peterborough Public Health, sent late last week, which does an excellent job of breaking down the latest version of the rules, as well as rules around vaccine passports, safety plans, and more.

Peterborough Public Health Update

“Good afternoon Arts Community –

We hope your week is shaping up to be a good one….

Last week, the province outlined steps that will be used to gradually and cautiously ease current public health measures. The press release announcing the measures is available here.

We do not have the updated regulations nor the accompanying guidance documents that will guide these reopening steps yet, but it is expected that starting January 31, 2022 the go-to regulation will be O. Reg 364/20. Ministry officials have said that the amendments are being worked on and they should be released sometime this week. (Additionally, this page will be updated when the new Regulations come into force next week: COVID-19 public health measures and advice: Find out about the latest public health measures, advice and restrictions).

Enhanced vaccine certificates with QR codes
In settings that require proof of vaccination, (i.e. live entertainment venues, cinemas, and theatres) patrons must present an enhanced vaccine certificate with a QR code prior to entry. Businesses and organizations must scan the QR code using the Verify Ontario app. The enhanced vaccine certificate is a more secure and convenient way to have your proof of vaccination verified. Vaccine receipts without a QR code are no longer accepted.

Additionally, owners and operators have an obligation to manage lines and reduce ‘bottle necks’ at their facilities. Communication to all of your user groups about this requirement in advance of January 31 will prevent people from downloading their QR code while they are in line waiting to enter your facility. PLEASE ENSURE YOUR USER GROUPS ARE AWARE OF THIS NEW REQUIREMENT.

As facility owners and operators, it is your responsibility to ensure the Verify Ontario App is being used by your user groups and that everyone entering the facility is doing so by presenting an Enhanced vaccine receipt:

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• How to get your COVID-19 vaccine certificate
• Download the Verify Ontario mobile app

With COVID, and especially the Omicron variant, there is not going to be one single intervention to reduce the risk of infection, but rather multiple layers of protection that are needed. Think of it like a piece of Swiss Cheese – each layer is imperfect, therefore multiple layers of protection are needed:

While the specifics of what will and won’t be allowed will be outlined in the Regulations, there are some ‘basics’ that we know will be required – details of which can be found in the attached ‘primer’. Please take this time to update your safety plan; much has changed over the last several weeks due to Omicron and your plans likely need to be refreshed.

We know this is scant on specifics – capacity limits, food sales, etc. – but we wanted to give you something to get started with in hopes that you can ‘plunk’ the specifics in when they are released by the province.

As always, please be in touch if there is anything we can help with.

With continued thanks,

Keith”

Arts Sector News Roundup

• The Ontario government has approved Working for Workers Act, enshrining the ‘right to disconnect’ as well as other rules that will affect how workers are treated. Charity Village offers an excellent breakdown of how the new legislation affects workers and employers.
• Check out the Canada Council for the Arts’ new Stats and Stories page, which explores the impact of Canada Council funding over the past year. Did you know the Canada Council gave out $309.8 million in grants across Canada, impacting 572 communities?
• Check out the latest edition of Business/Arts’ Arts Response Tracking Study, a regular survey gauging Canadians’ attitudes on returning to indoor and outdoor arts and culture events. It confirms that audiences remain apprehensive due to the ongoing pandemic.
• Is your non-profit addressing workplace mental health? Charity Village just added a new program to their website, a Certificate in Workplace Mental Health and Psychological Safety, and have just put out a new podcast episode on the topic as well.

Local Home Viewing

On now until February 4, it’s the ReFrame Film Festival, Peterborough’s annual festival celebrating the best in social and cultural documentaries from Peterborough, Canada, and around the world. As with last year, the festival has moved online this year, which means you can enjoy films from the comfort of your couch. Check out the coverage the festival has received, including film recommendations, in KawarthaNOW and Akimbo.

It’s the second edition of 4th Line Theatre’s Festival of Light and Dark, an online exhibition of ten five-minute videos by local artists showcasing their work. There’s a great lineup of artists prodcuing tremendously varied video works, and it’s all available for free on 4th Line Theatre’s website and YouTube channel.

For more home viewing, the Peterborough Singers have started an excellent video series, Choral Music History, hosted by Shannon McCracken, exploring the history and variety of choral music. There’s three episodes so far, viewable on the Peterborough Singers’ YouTube page.

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

Here are important grant deadlines coming up soon:

• Jan 31: Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage: Local Festivals (Canadian Heritage)
• Feb 11: Event Support (Peterborough DBIA)
• Feb 15: Ontario Arts Presenters Projects (OAC)
• Feb 17: Dance Organizations: Operating (OAC)
• Mar 03: Visual Arts Artist-Run Centres and Organizations: Operating (OAC)
• Mar 09: Music Organizations Operating (everyone except festivals) (OAC)

KEEP INFORMED, STAY IN TOUCH

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