Capacity Limits Lifted, Enhanced Vaccine Passports and App, Borderless Arts, Portfolio Workshops, and Grant Deadlines

Hello Everyone,

The past couple weeks have brought some dramatic announcements about COVID-19 public health and safety measures, with an increase in capacity limits for performing arts and other facilities, and the introduction of the new vaccine passport and scanning app.

This Bulletin includes details about both of these announcements, as well as some other pieces of news that have come across our desk. This includes some excellent arts programming from the local Borderless Music & Arts Festival, portfolio clinics at OCADU, and a list of upcoming grant deadlines.

Capacity Limits Lifted

The Ontario government has officially raised capacity limits in a number of categories of organizations, including concert venues, theatres, cinemas, meeting and event spaces, and commercial film and television productions. As of Saturday, October 9, capacity limits have been lifted to allow 100% capacity, up to 20,000 people.

The requirement for physical distancing in these spaces is also being lifted, but note that all other requirements are still in place, including: masking, proof of vaccination, active screening, the need to take advance reservations from all patrons, and the implementation of a safety plan. Still, this should make a huge difference for the performing arts and other cultural sectors.

Keith Beecroft, Health Promoter, Family & Community Health at Peterborough Public Health, provided the following explanation of the change:

“We wanted to provide some clarity and insight into the Provincial announcement that was made late on Friday October 9, 2021.

As it relates to the Performing Arts sector, O. Reg. 364/20, Schedule 2, Section 22 will be updated shortly to reflect the new requirements, until then, we are referring to the Order in Council– the technical document that will be used to amend the Regulations – to provide you with direction.

The Order notes that –

1. (1) Section 3 of Schedule 1 to Ontario Regulation 364/20 is amended by adding the following subsection:

(7) Subsection (1) does not apply with respect to the following areas:
1. Meeting and event spaces, including conference centres and convention centres.
2. Areas for spectators in facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities.
3. Concert venues, theatres and cinemas.
4. Horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues.
5. Places where commercial film and television production takes place

And then we cross reference that with the section to be amended in O. Reg. 364/20 which strikes out these capacity limits:

Capacity limits for businesses or facilities open to the public
3. (1) Subject to any other requirements set out in this Order with respect to capacity limits, the person responsible for a place of business or facility that is open to the public shall limit the number of members of the public in the place of business or facility so that the members of the public are able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from every other person in the business or facility.
(2) For the purposes of this Order, the maximum number of members of the public permitted in a business or facility that is operating in an outdoor setting at 75 per cent capacity is determined by taking the total square metres of area accessible to the public, dividing that number by 1.33, and rounding the result down to the nearest whole number.
(3) For the purposes of this Order, the maximum number of members of the public permitted in a business or facility, or part of a business or facility, that is operating in an indoor setting at 50 per cent capacity is determined by taking 50 per cent of the maximum occupant load of the business or facility, or part of a business or facility, as applicable, as calculated in accordance with Ontario Regulation 213/07 (Fire Code), made under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997.

Plainly – in theatres and concert venues – there is no longer any capacity limit and you may operate at 100% capacity.

That said, our advice is:

• Maintain previous capacity limits until such a time that you are able to safely create the space and systems needed to accommodate an increase in patrons, and
• Ease your way into increasing capacity limits, taking a progressive approach to reaching new maximums, you are not obligated to enact these changes immediately

If you chose to increase capacity limits, you will also need to update your safety plan to account for:

• New/additional staff coming onboard,
• Increased traffic/decreased flow and how you will manage pinch points,
• Decreased space in common areas like hallways, aisles and lounges,
• Etc.

Please note, the only thing that has changed is the capacity limit; these requirements specific to the Performing Arts sector still apply:

• Developing, maintaining, and posting a safety plan is required (conveniently, the Ministry of Health just released this Safety Plan builder)
• Actively screening staff and volunteers before they begin their shift is required
• Actively screening patrons and guests before they arrive is encouraged
• Masks must be worn indoors by staff and guests, with some exceptions
• No member of the public may attend a seated concert, event, performance or movie within the concert venue, theatre or cinema unless they have made a reservation to do so
• Proof of vaccination (2 doses + 14 days) required for all eligible patrons, unless medically exempt

If your performance is happening in an unconventional location (i.e., outdoors, over a meal, at a farm, or at another rural setting), or location other than a theatre or concert venue, please connect with us to discuss additional requirements.

We know that ‘simple’ announcements often come with logistical questions; should you have any questions, or need any clarity on anything – please don’t hesitate to be in touch.

With continued thanks,

Keith”

New Vaccine Passports and App

Ontario has entered the next phase of its rollout of the vaccine passport program, with the new QR code-enabled enhanced vaccine passports available for anyone in Ontario to download, and the new Verify Ontario app that businesses and organizations with a vaccine mandate can use to scan and verify these passports.

The Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, working with Peterborough Public Health, have put together an excellent guide to everything that businesses and organizations need to know. Here you go:

“The province released the new enhanced vaccine certificate last week. This enhanced vaccine certificate has a QR code on it so that it can be easily read by businesses and organizations who use the free Verify Ontario App to check proof of vaccination. (Patrons can download the advanced QR code vaccine certificate to their phone, businesses and organizations would download the Verify Ontario App to scan the enhanced QR codes).

With this announcement, also came some BIG changes to the proof of vaccination requirements that we wanted to flag for you:

• There have been updates to the implementation documents – many of the businesses you support may find the answers they are looking for: Ministry of Health Proof of Vaccination Guidance for Businesses and Organizations under the Reopening Ontario Act (UPDATED Oct. 15), Ministry of Health Question and Answer document (UPDATED Oct. 15)
• The Regulation AND the Guidance document now clearly state the following. This means that proof of vaccination should not be kept for any reason.: No person shall retain, record, copy, modify, use or disclose any information provided for the purpose of section 2.1 of Schedule 1 of O. Reg. 364/20 under the ROA…. A business or organization may use information provided as above solely for the purpose of confirming that a patron is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or is entitled to an exemption
• Anyone who is verifying proof will need to be aware that there is a new exemption: Patrons who provide documentation that confirms they are currently participating in a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial authorized by Health Canada and specified in this guidance, including Appendix C.
• The ONLY app that is allowed to be used to check QR codes is the Verify Ontario App – this is stated clearly in the Guidance document (pg. 9) AND the regulation.
• The app allows you to use 2 methods for checking proof, but paper copies must still be accepted. If there is a failed screen with the QR code, you must see proof via another method (e.g., paper copy) in order for the person to be granted access.
• Click here for any person wishing to download their QR code
• Individuals can also call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900 to have their enhanced vaccine certificate emailed or mailed to them.
• If patrons or businesses ask for more information, please refer them to Using your Enhanced Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions or they can call the provincial call centre at 1-833-943-3900.

As a recap, it is the higher risk indoor settings that require proof of vaccine to be shown.

What is the full list of settings (i.e., businesses or organizations) where patrons must provide proof of identification and proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

• Indoor areas of restaurants, bars, and other food and drink establishments without dance facilities
• Indoor and outdoor areas of food or drink establishments with dance facilities, including nightclubs, restoclubs, and other similar establishments
• Indoor areas of meeting and event spaces with limited exceptions
• Indoor areas of facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, including waterparks, and personal physical fitness training with limited exemptions o Includes gyms, fitness/sporting/recreational facilities, pools, leagues, sporting events, waterparks, and indoor areas of facilities where spectators watch events
• Indoor areas of casinos, bingo halls, and other gaming establishments
• Indoor areas of concert venues, theatres, and cinemas
• Indoor areas of bathhouses, sex clubs and strip clubs
• Indoor areas of horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues
• Indoor areas where commercial film and TV productions take place with studio audiences
• Any of the following outdoor areas that have a usual capacity of 20,000 or more people (i.e., where 75 percent capacity would be equal to or greater than 15,000 persons):
• Outdoor meeting and event spaces, with limited exemptions
• Outdoor facilities used for sports and recreational fitness activities, including waterparks, and personal physical fitness training with limited exemptions (Includes gyms, fitness/sporting/recreational facilities, pools, leagues, sporting events, waterparks, and indoor areas of facilities where spectators watch events)
• Outdoor concert venues, theatres, and cinemas
• Outdoor horse racing tracks, car racing tracks and other similar venues”

Borderless Music and Arts Festival

Over the summer, EC3 and Artsweek SHIFT² were proud to be able to assist with a virtual version of the Borderless Music & Arts Festival. This multidisciplinary arts showcase brought us four days of online events, centering women, BIPOC, intersectional identities, and inclusive community-building with an eclectic mosaic of music, dance, visual art, drag, poetry, comedy, circus, and film, all streamed online for free. Now, Borderless has started releasing a ton of these performances to their YouTube channel. Watch along and discover some of the best young talent in town.

Borderless will be returning soon with another livestream festival and are currently raising funds to make it happen – donate to their GoFundMe campaign.

OCADU Portfolio Clinics

Registration is open for OCADU’s Portfolio Clinics at Home. This is a series of virtual studio art and design workshops designed for learners ages 15 and up who are interested in sharpening their technical skills, learning new concepts, and exploring different methods of creating an artwork. Each workshop is taught by OCAD U faculty who are professionals in their field. Participants will come away with a better understanding of how studio-based research and creative process work can come together to support a strong portfolio piece.

There are workshops on a range of topics, each three hours, to take place over Zoom. Register here.

Upcoming Grant Deadlines

Here are some important grant deadlines coming up soon:

• Oct 26: Artists in Communities and Schools: Projects (OAC)
• Oct 27: Literary Creation Projects: Works for Performance (OAC)
• Oct 31: Canada Book Fund: Support for Organizations (Canadian Heritage)
• Nov 01: Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program: Indigenous Languages Component (Canadian Heritage)
• Nov 01: Museums Assistance Program (multiple streams) (Canadian Heritage)
• Nov 01: Peterborough Foundation grants (local grant program)
• Nov 03: Visual Artists Creation Projects (OAC)
• Nov 05: Theatre Organizations: Operating (OAC)
• Nov 09: Music Recording Projects (OAC)
• Nov 09: Northern Arts Projects (OAC)
• Nov 10: Supporting Artistic Practice: Sector Innovation and Development – Project Grants (Canada Council)

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) announces the completion of Art Loves Pride 2021, a series of three commissioned works by local 2SLGBTQ+ artists presented on Instagram as part of Peterborough Pride. This year’s commissions feature works by three trans/nonbinary and BIPOC artists, Sahira Q, Carlo José Quinones, and Ále Suárez.

EC3 has organized Art Loves Pride as part of Peterborough Pride since 2018, to celebrate the close interconnections between art and queerness and to showcase some of the City’s outstanding 2SLGBTQ+ artists and their work. Typically taking the form of a float in the Pride Parade and activities around Pride in the Park, Art Loves Pride has moved to Instagram during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This online version of Art Loves Pride provides an opportunity for EC3 to support and promote some of the city’s talented 2SLGBTQ+ artists, to provide a platform for them at a time when many venues for performance are closed off, and to provide audiences with free access to great new art works.

Art Loves Pride 2021 includes three projects that are available on EC3’s Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/ec3ptbo/) and are archived on EC3’s website (https://www.ecthree.org/program/art-loves-pride-2021/). Audiences can access them any time, at no cost.

Sahira Q, a quirky yet lovable drag queen and “Peterborough’s punk princess,” presents a music video lip-sync performance of “Magnets” by Disclosure ft. Lorde as an anthem reclaiming pride and self-worth.

Spoken word poet and visual artist Carlo José Quinones offers “Open letter to Aries (born March 21-April 19),” a poem about slowing down and taking time, accompanied by a self-portrait photo collage.

Musician and expressive arts therapist Ále Suárez performs a cover of “Una Vez Mas” by Ximena Sariñana, a jazzy guitar song with Spanish lyrics, reflecting Ále’s personal story as a diasporic child who fuses different cultures within themselves.

If you would like to interview any of these three artists, please contact EC3 Program Coordinator Gabe Pollock (ec3.research@gmail.com).

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.

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

Read “EC3: Peterborough artists awarded Bierk Art Bursary Fund,” by EC3 Staff, published in The Peterborough Examiner as part of EC3’s Arts in the Examiner series.

EC3 and Peterborough Poet Laureate Release New Videos to Mark the Occasion, Plus Other Resources

Hello Everyone,

Tomorrow, September 30, marks the first-ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and communities, and marks the tragic and painful legacy of colonialism and the ongoing process of reconciliation

Last week, EC3 and the City of Peterborough announced Sarah Lewis as the first-ever Peterborough Poet Laureate. Earlier this week, Sarah performed for the first time as Poet Laureate, at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

Sarah Lewis performs at City Council this past Monday.

Today, to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, EC3 has commissioned Sarah to create videos of the two pieces she performed at City Council. “Warrior Cry” and “Take Them Home” speak to the painful legacy that colonialism and residential schools have had on this country, and the strength and indefatigable resiliency of Indigenous peoples.

Watch the videos here:

More Resources

Local performing arts presenter Public Energy has released an excellent list of suggestions for more ways you can mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:

• Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, Niijkiwendidaa and Lovesick Native Women’s Association are holding a Sacred Fire from 12 pm to 3 pm tomorrow, September 30. There will be two readings of Phyillis Webstad’s book, The Orange Shirt Story, at 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Space is limited to 20 people including staff at a time, so they ask that you limit your time and reserve a space with Rebekah, wellness@nogofc.ca.
• Join the Memory, Truth and Justice event at Confederation Park (across from City Hall). This event takes place every Thursday from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. While walking in a circle, each person gathered will read, one-by-one, the actions recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the names of the missing and murdered women and girls in Canada, and, as they become known, the names of those buried at residential schools. They continue each week where they left off the previous week. When they are done, after many weeks, they will begin again.
• Read and contemplate the [94 calls to action of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
• Donate to Indigenous charities (This link includes local organizations, Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre and the Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle).
• Listen to and watch the CBC’s special programming to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

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: Sarah Lewis, the city’s first Poet Laureate,” Global News Morning.

“New Peterborough poet laureate makes first presentation to city council” by Joelle Kovach, Peterborough Examiner.

“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