EC3 in the News: KawarthaNOW
May 21st, 2021
“Peterborough Arts Alive Fund has $100,000 to help local arts organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for reopening” by Sarah McNeilly, KawarthaNOW.
Posted in Media Coverage
May 21st, 2021
“Peterborough Arts Alive Fund has $100,000 to help local arts organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for reopening” by Sarah McNeilly, KawarthaNOW.
Posted in Media Coverage
May 19th, 2021
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.
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.
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
Posted in COVID-19, Bulletin, EC3 Announcement
May 5th, 2021
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.
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.
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.
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
Posted in Bulletin, EC3 Announcement
May 5th, 2021
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
Posted in Media Release, EC3 Announcement, Peterborough Poet Laureate
May 5th, 2021
“Bierk Art Fund Bursary up for grabs again for Peterborough high school artists” by Shaun McLeod, Peterborough Examiner.
Posted in Media Coverage
May 5th, 2021
“The City of Peterborough is seeking nominations for the city’s first-ever poet laureate” by Sarah McNeilly, KawarthaNOW.
Posted in Media Coverage
May 4th, 2021
Hello Everyone,
The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) is pleased to once again be offering the Bierk Art Fund Bursary Program for Post-Secondary Studies in the Visual Arts. This bursary is open to Peterborough high school students completing Grade 12 in 2021, who plan to undertake post-secondary studies in the visual arts during the 2021-2022 academic year. It is made possible with support from the Bierk Art Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough.
The Bierk Art Fund Bursary Program will provide two bursaries of $1,000.00 each to graduating high school students in the City or County of Peterborough whose work demonstrates great promise (artistic merit) and who have a serious commitment to pursuing further studies at the post-secondary level in the visual arts. Students will have the opportunity to present their work (including but not limited to portfolios) to a virtual jury panel comprised of arts professionals. The two successful candidates will be announced virtually immediately and celebrated at this year’s Peterborough Arts Awards.
Eligible students are encouraged to fill out a Bierk Art Fund Bursary Application Form (PDF) and send it back to bierkartfundbursaries@gmail.com by Monday May 17, 2021 at 11:59pm.
Applicants will receive a confirmation email from EC3’s Assistant Program Coordinator Dorothea Hines with a designated appointment time and Zoom link to meet with the jury panel for a Portfolio Review during the last week of May. Appointments are 30 minutes in length. The jury will choose two winners after meeting with all of the applicants. All applicants will be assessed on the same criteria. Winners will be announced on Monday, May 31, 2021.
Find the full Program Guidelines HERE.
EC3 will also be running informal virtual portfolio workshops on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, and Tuesday, May 11, 2021 from 6:00 to 7:30pm on Zoom. We will talk about portfolio creation, portfolio review prep, and answer any of your questions about the application process. Additional portfolio workshops can be scheduled on demand.
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
For Bierk Art Fund Bursary program information
Dorothea Hines
Assistant Program Coordinator
bierkartfundbursaries@gmail.com
For media inquiries
Su Ditta
Executive Director
Electric City Culture Council (EC3)
electriccitycc@gmail.com
www.ecthree.org
705 749 9101
Posted in Bulletin, EC3 Announcement
April 26th, 2021
Peterborough, ON – The Electric City Culture Council (EC3) is proud to launch Artsweek SHIFT², a series of nine COVID-compliant arts projects and events taking place live, in-person throughout Peterborough and online, between May 1 and July 31, 2021. Watch for further announcements as details of specific events become available. All Artsweek SHIFT² events are FREE to the public!
Stay tuned and enjoy a panorama of the best in local arts events, from puppet shows and poetry, to circuses on Armour Hill, dance and music. Online events and action in the streets will make your spring and summer alive with great talent from the amazing minds and hands of local artists. Don’t miss your favourite dancers, poets, theatre performers, visual artists and storytellers at Artsweek SHIFT².
This Festival program was developed through an Open Call for Proposals. Nine successful applications by individual artists and/or arts organizations out of 19, were selected by a five-member Peer Assessment Committee and received an Artsweek SHIFT² Project Production and Presentation Grant of up to $3,000 to create, produce and present new works as part of the ‘pocket festival.’
A complete list of all Artsweek SHIFT² festival 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.
Artsweek SHIFT is a new COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery project created by EC3 in response to the postponement, until September 2021, of Artsweek 2020, the city’s biennial, multi-disciplinary festival of the arts.
Artsweek SHIFT began with series of arts events that took place in-person and online from October to December 2020, including two curated projects: Downtown and Post-Code Tour. The second phase, Artsweek SHIFT², included an Open Call for Proposals for two grant programs: Project Production and Presentation Grants (announced above) and Mini Grants to Professional Artists (announcement coming soon).
EC3 extends our sincere thanks The City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) for their generous support in making Artsweek SHIFT² possible.
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For Further Information Contact:
Su Ditta
Executive Director, EC3
705 749 9101
electriccitycc@gmail.com
www.ecthree.org
Posted in Media Release, EC3 Announcement
April 22nd, 2021
Hello Everyone,
We hope everyone is still holding up and staying safe as we continue through this new stay-at-home order and the ”third wave.”
In today’s Bulletin, we provide some updates on a number of matters relevant to our sector. The 2021 Federal Budget for was recently announced, and it promises a significant amount of new funding coming to our sector in the next year (and beyond), as well as the extension of several key relief programs. We also have some important updates to pass on from Peterborough Public Health, and we have a list of some important grant deadlines coming up soon.
Earlier this week, the federal government unveiled their 2021 budget. The budget is heavily focused on pandemic recovery, and includes $1.9 billion in proposed funding for the tourism, arts, culture, and sport sector over the next five years. This includes new funding for festivals, music, heritage, cultural spaces, performing arts organizations, and more, and includes both expansions of current funding programs as well as new initiatives.
There are still many details yet to be revealed, and we will certainly be providing more updates in the coming weeks and months, but the Canadian Association for the Performing Arts (CAPACOA) has done an excellent job breaking down where the money is proposed to go. And for more details, see this media release from the federal government.
Note that all these announcements are in addition to the $181.5 million announced for the sector earlier this year.
The 2021 federal budget also includes extensions to several key programs that are helping many local organizations stay afloat: the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) are both being extended until September 25, and the deadline for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) is being extended until June 30.
As we continue under a stay-at-home order, Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has some important updates to share:
Here are some of the grant deadlines coming up soon:
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
April 19th, 2021
Hello Everyone,
We hope that everyone is still well and staying strong, even as the pandemic continues to stretch on and lockdowns get extended. Please feel free to reach out to EC3 if you need to talk or want advice on specific projects or initiatives.
THIS IS A SHORT BULLETIN WITH A SIMPLE, BUT URGENT REQUEST.
The public consultation process for the City of Peterborough’s 2022 budget is in full swing and there is an important survey, the 2022 Community Priorities Survey, that citizens can fill out to indicate what spending priorities matter to them. This survey has a deadline of this Thursday, April 22. It does not seem to circulating well through Facebook pages in the arts sector, so we are reaching out to you directly to fill out the survey yourself, and get it out to your board members, memberships and audiences too if you can, with a request for them to fill it out.
Last year, spending money on arts, culture and heritage was pretty much at the bottom of the budget priority list in this important survey and the results were published widely in the media. As a community, we need City staff and Councillors to hear loud and clear that municipal funding for our organizations matters and that the arts are essential to our communities’ health and wellbeing. Completing this survey is a crucial step.
If they don’t hear from us, we cannot assume that arts funding will be secure in the 2022 budget, or that Community Investments and Project Grants budgets, Service Grants budgets or Public Art budgets will be secure in 2022.
Take part in this democratic process. It matters and so do the arts. Please fill out the City of Peterborough’s 2022 Community Priorities Survey.
This survey is the first step along the City’s 2022 Budget process, as City Councillors and staff gather community feedback that will guide funding decisions next year.
The city budget is always important, but 2022 will be especially crucial for our sector, as the pandemic enters a new phase: recovery and rebuilding. There will be essential decisions to be made in the coming year about how we use our money, who and what receives support and, ultimately, what we want our city to look like when all this is over. We encourage everyone to participate and make your voice heard.
You can find the survey HERE. Please fill it out by Thursday, April 22.
If you are interested in participating further, the City is hosting a virtual Budget Roadshow consultation session this Wednesday, April 21 at 7pm. This is an opportunity to speak directly with City Councillors and staff about what’s important to you in the city and in the budget process. Details HERE.
Posted in Bulletin