“Peterborough-area professional artists have until Monday night to apply for micro subsistence grant,” KawarthaNOW.

A Message from EC3

Hello all,

We are now in Week 6 of COVID-19’s Canadian shutdown. As the pandemic stretches on, and the shutdown shows signs of continuing for quite a while, governments and other organizations continue to release more programs of support for struggling Canadians.

EC3 is working with colleagues across the country, in every discipline and with both governmental and non-governmental organizations, to lobby on behalf of our sector and our local ACH (arts, culture, and heritage) community. EC3 is also developing our own response, through the Peterborough Arts Alive program, and we are closely monitoring the situation to find other programs that could benefit ACH workers.

This Bulletin will provide an update on EC3’s Micro Subsistence Grants, the first program in our Peterborough Arts Alive initiative; information on the provincial/municipal Emergency Assistance program that may benefit ACH workers who still don’t qualify for CERB; and a roundup of recent announcements from the federal government that could affect artists and ACH workers.

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.

Please stay well and let us know how we can help.

Peterborough Arts Alive: Micro Subsistence Grants for Local Professional Artists

EC3 has released new criteria for our Micro Subsistence Grants program. This program, the first in our Peterborough Arts Alive series of COVID-19 response initiatives, will provide essential funding for local professional artists struggling due to the pandemic.

Please see this page for details.

Municipal/Provincial Emergency Assistance Program

For those who do not qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the Ontario government has announced the Emergency Assistance program. Individuals who have been laid off or who are unable to work due to COVID-19 may receive up to $1,170 and families with two children could receive up to $2,000 for a 48-day period, if eligible.

The program is administered by the Ontario government, but Peterborough City and County residents can get help applying for it through the City of Peterborough’s Social Services division. See here for details on the program, and here for information about how the City can help you apply.

Breaking News Roundup

New Assistance for Students

Today (April 22), Prime Minister Trudeau announced a number of programs to benefit students in Canada. Read more here. The new initiatives include:

• A $1,250/month benefit for post-secondary students who are unable to get summer jobs from May to August (or who are making under $1,000/month)
• Benefits up to $5,000 for students who volunteer during the summer months
• Doubling student grants for eligible students
• Raising the maximum weekly amount that can be provided by the Canada student loans program
• Additional supports for Indigenous students, graduate students, and post-doctoral students

Other Recent Announcements

Here is quick rundown of recent announcements from the Canadian government that could affect artists and ACH workers. See our previous Bulletin for more details on these initiatives.

• The Canadian government has announced $500 million for the arts, culture, and sport sectors through Heritage Canada. We are still waiting for details on how this will impact local ACH organizations, but EC3 will update you as we learn more details – read more here.
• More people now qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), including seasonal workers and people making under $1,000/month – read more here.
• The 75% Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will provide a subsidy of up to 75% of wages for workers at businesses and other organizations (including charities and not-for-profits) who have lost revenue due to the pandemic – read more here.  A calculator to determine if your organization qualifies is available here.
• There are a number of extensions to the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program, including increased subsidies and the ability to extend contracts and support past the end of summer – read more here.
• The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) provides interest-free loans up to $40,000 for businesses, with up to $10,000 eligible for loan forgiveness – read more here.
• There is a deferral for GST/HST remittance that becomes owing on or after March 27, 2020 until the end of June 2020 – read more here.
• The Government of Canada is currently negotiating with the provinces and territories on a program to assist with the costs of commercial rental. More details to come.

Reminder: Track the Impact

A reminder to track the impact that COVID-19 is having on your artistic practice and/or your organization. If you can, take a moment to send an email to electriccitycc@gmail.com describing these effects. This information will prove invaluable in demonstrating how COVID-19 has hit the ACH sector, and in advocating for more supports.

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

See EC3’s COVID-19 Updates page for links to resources and the latest updates from EC3.

“Town Ward: B!KE’s shop is closed for now, but it’s still pedalling online,” The Peterborough Examiner.

A Message from EC3

Hello All,

This continues to be a strange and stressful time for people across the country, and in particular for artists and ACH (arts, culture, and heritage) workers and organizations. There continues to be a flurry of announcements about new COVID-19 support and recovery programs and changes to existing assistance programs.

EC3 is working with colleagues across the country, in every discipline and with both governmental and non-governmental organizations to lobby on behalf of our sector and our local ACH community. This includes working with the Canadian Arts Coalition, Business/Arts, Canadian Heritage, the City of Peterborough, and the Community Foundation of Greater Peterborough, to name just a few. We are starting to see some positive results.

Please stay well and let us know how we can help.

New Program

This week EC3 launched the Peterborough Arts Alive Micro Grants Program to assist professional artists in Peterborough and Peterborough County, and we will be making announcements about several other initiatives next week.

Breaking News

$500 Million for Arts, Culture, and Sport

On April 17, during his daily press conference, Prime Minister Trudeau announced $500 million will be going to the arts, culture, and sport sectors through Heritage Canada.

Minister of Canadian Heritage Stephen Guilbeault has said that they are still working to “fine tune” the specifics, but that money will be given out to groups including industry non-profits, national sports organizations, television production houses, music associations and media organizations. Guilbeault also acknowledged that other already-announced programs aren’t tailored for the specific mode of work of ACH and sport workers, and this program will aim to correct that. Read more here. Follow our social media channels for updates as we find out more.

Please be sure to check the EC3 Facebook page, @ECThreePtbo on Twitter, and EC3’s COVID-19 Updates page, where we are providing daily updates on programs and services available for ACH workers and organizations.

This Bulletin provides a roundup of recent announcements from the Canadian government and other organizations that could benefit ACH workers and organizations.

Federal COVID-19 Response Programs

CERB: More People Now Qualify

The Government of Canada has announced several extensions of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), the taxable benefit that provides $2,000 every four weeks for up to four months for eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19. See here to find out more and apply for the benefit.

A number of these extensions could help assist artists and ACH workers affected by the crisis:

• The government has confirmed that there is no limit on royalty payments for past works (i.e. those produced before the crisis) that an artist may get while receiving the CERB.
• Someone receiving the CERB may get paid up to $1,000 a month from other sources of income, without penalty or losing their eligibility (and again, royalty payments aren’t included in that category and may be earned on top of the $1,000). This will allow some part-time and contract workers to qualify.
• Someone who wasn’t working when the crisis started, but lost contracts or work that would have otherwise started had it not been for the crisis, can qualify for the CERB. All they need to demonstrate is that before the crisis they would have been working. (This is especially helpful to cultural workers who have less work during the winter and many would have only started working again in the spring, which isn’t the case this year).
• Workers who have recently run out of EI benefits and are still unable to find work can now qualify for the CERB.

Watch this video from Stephen Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, about how the changes to the CERB will affect artists:

I know that many artists and creators are still unsure about how the #CERB can help them.

I hope this video helps! #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/yHXS7dWXFT

— Steven Guilbeault @ 🏡 (@s_guilbeault) April 16, 2020

CEWS: Wage Subsidy Programs for Businesses and Organizations

The Government of Canada has announced two programs that will help businesses, not-for-profits, and charities affected by the COVID-19 crisis to pay their workers and avoid layoffs.

The 75% Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) provides a subsidy of up to 75% of wages for workers at eligible entities – individuals, taxable corporations, partnerships consisting of eligible entities, non‑profit organizations and registered charities. (Public-sector institutions do not qualify.) The entity must have suffered a drop of at least 30% in gross revenue in April 2020, or 15% in March 2020. See here for more details.

This is in addition to the previously announced 10% Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers, which is available for all employers, regardless of lost wages. See here for more details.

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development has also put out a very helpful guide on assistance programs for businesses – see here.

CSJ: Canada Summer Jobs Program Extensions

The Government of Canada has also announced extensions of the Canada Summer Jobs program, to help employers provide employment to young Canadians. See here for more information on these changes.

The changes include:

• an increase to the wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee
• an extension to the end date for employment to February 28, 2021
• allowing employers to adapt their projects and job activities to support essential services
• allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis.

Other Funds for Artists and ACH Workers

There are a number of new funds and grants being announced by arts organizations and private funders across Canada to help artists and ACH workers. We listed a number of these in our  Financial Updates Bulletin, but here are some new ones that have come across our desk.

• EC3’s Peterborough Arts Alive: Micro Subsistence Grants for Local Professional Artists, our own program for struggling artists in Peterborough and Peterborough County.
• Digital Originals, a program from CBC and the Canada Council for the Arts offering grants for artists to produce new works for CBC’s digital platforms.
• CBC Creative Relief Fund, a $2-million fund providing development and production funding for new media projects.
• Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund, The Writers’ Trust of Canada’s fund, now extended to Canadian visual artists as well as writers.
• David Seguin Memorial Award for Accessibility in the Arts, providing emergency micro grants for artists with disabilities.
• COVID Zine Micro Grants, grants for zine makers to make zines about COVID-19, from Broken Pencil Magazine. (Currently fundraising.)
• Micro Artist Grants for Groceries, providing assistance to artists to cover the cost of groceries, from Bad New Days Theatre.

Reminder: Track the Impact

A reminder to track the impact that COVID-19 is having on your artistic practice and/or your organization. If you can, take a moment to send an email to electriccitycc@gmail.com describing these effects. This information will prove invaluable in demonstrating how COVID-19 has hit the ACH sector, and in advocating for more supports.

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

See EC3’s COVID-19 Updates page for links to resources and the latest updates from EC3.

“Peterborough cultural industries are being battered by COVID-19,” CHEX/Global.

“Electric City Culture Council urges support for Peterborough’s hard-hit arts community,” KawarthaNOW.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

EC3 wants to send a shout out to all local artists, cultural workers and arts and heritage organizations. These are very tough times and we want to say thank you for everything you are doing now and all that you do always, to make our cultural lives in Peterborough so rich.

We are constantly monitoring the situation in Peterborough, responding to questions from the ACH community and lobbying government at every level for sector specific Emergency Response and Recovery Assistance.

This issue of the EC3 COVID-19 Bulletin primarily covers various sources of financial aid that may support arts, culture and heritage workers. It is a bit of a moving target, so please check in on the latest information through the LINKS provided throughout.

Please LIKE and monitor the EC3 Facebook page and follow us on Twitter at @ECThreePtbo.

Federal

CERB Program

As many of you will know by now, the Federal Government has revised its Emergency Response Program and it is simpler and more clearly available to ACH sector workers. The new CERB program information is available here.

Small Business including Not for Profits

There is also a new program to help small businesses and NFPs. More information here.

Federal Income Tax Relief

On the federal income tax front, look here for information on postponements of deadlines for filing and payment.

Other Federal COVID-19 Response initiatives. Federal Student Loans:

See information here.

Department of Canadian Heritage

In a conference call meeting last week with the Minister of Canadian Heritage, organized by Business/Arts, he reported that there were no sector specific response programs yet, but that the CERB program did keep specifically keep ACH workers in mind. The Book and Periodical Fund payments are being expedited though, and should arrive sooner rather than later.

Organizations that have applied to, or are awaiting, DCH grants in any programs should check with their Program Officers for details on how any “end dates”, reporting, approvals, programming changes or cancelations will be handled. Better to do this sooner rather than later. DCH information here.

Canada Council for the Arts

While no announcement has yet been made regarding COVID-19 financial support for artists, Canada Council for the Arts has asked people and organizations to document the effects on their operations and published a range of special arrangements for applying and granting. See here for information on Canada Council programs.

Municipal

Community Investment and Project Grants

We understand from City staff and Councillor Riel (ACH portfolio and ACHAC Chair), that Council met on Monday, March 30, 2020 and the grants received final approval.

This meeting was particularly crucial for the Community Investment and Project Grants final approval and the disbursement of those funds. EC3 worked with ACHAC members, Councillors Riel and Akapo, and City staff on COVID-19 relief/response conditions attached to those grants. The same letter will go out to Service Grant recipients. We are confident City staff will move as fast as they can to get those monies out to you. EC3 has also proposed some other relief initiatives to the City and we are waiting to hear back on those. We will keep you updated.

Municipal Property Tax

Information on property tax relief.

Information on the Municipal Emergency Financial Support Fund.

Provincial

Queens’s Park

Information on provincial COVID-19 relief/response programs is in this rather dense document.

It looks as though there is student loan relief, some tax deferrals and there will be funding flowing to the municipality.

Ontario Arts Council

This link connects you to the OAC COVID FAQ page. We highly recommend that you contact your Program Officer (s) directly to discuss applications assessment plans, funding and reporting dates and program changes and challenges. Many Program Officers have issued special notices to applicants.

Rent Relief

Many banks will provide various kinds of mortgage payment relief, don’t be shy, call your bank. Also speak to your landlord.

Other Sources of Aid or Information on COVID-19 Relief Initiatives

• National Theatre School: Art Apart
• Writers Trust: Relief Fund
• National Arts Centre: #CanadaPerforms
• CHRC: Cultural sector resources for businesses and individuals
• CBC: resource list, including emergency funding for artists, online training, health resources, and temporary/remote jobs
• Resources for Canadian artists, writers, and media workers during COVID-19 shutdowns
• Support from Canadian financial institutions
• BC Alliance for Arts and Culture: list of resources for artists and cultural workers
• CSARN: list of current provincial and territorial protocols
• Digital Main Street: Resources for Small Business During COVID-19
• AFC: COVID-19 Funding
• The Photographer Fund: $25,000 fund to help self-employed photographers facing hardship
• Curating Care: honorariums for Independent INDIGENOUS Curators and Artists (deadline March 27)
• Glad Day: Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers, tip-based workers
• 25+ Sites for Finding Remote Work
• How to stay connected during self-isolation: some useful tips
• Crisis Services Canada: Suicide prevention and support
• Writers Trust: Woodcock Fund Grant, providing emergency funds for writers mid-project
• The AFC: emergency financial aid for entertainment professionals
• Unison: financial aid for musicians
• CANADIAN Low-Income Artist/Musician Relief Fund: a group fundraising to support a relief fund
• Behind the Scenes:  Basic Needs Grants, providing financial assistance for seriously ill entertainment technology professionals in the U.S. and Canada
• Facebook/National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists: Accepting applications from artists who post a 45 to 60-minute online performance between today and March 31, 2020. Financial grants will be given out from a $100,000 relief fund.

Advocacy Groups that might not be on your radar and could help …

• I Lost My Gig Canada: A space for arts and other vulnerable freelance and gig workers in Canada and beyond to share stories and resources addressing the impacts of COVID-19.
• ArtsPond: Please fill out their online survey.
• Charity Village: Resources for the nonprofit and charitable sector.
• The Canadian Freelance Union: A community chapter of UNIFOR focused on advancing the rights of freelancers in communications and media industries.
• CMG Freelance: A branch of the Canadian Media Guild dedicated to supporting freelance workers.
• S’ATTAQ: A labour union for freelancers.
• ACTRA: Union of professional performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada.
• IATSE Canadian locals: The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts represents behind-the-scenes workers in film, theatre and television.
• Canadian Actors Equity Association: Represents artists working in theatre, opera and dance.
• Writers Guild of Canada: Represents English-language screenwriters in Canada.
• Associated Designers of Canada: A national, professional non-profit arts service organization dedicated to representing the interests of set, costume, lighting, projection and sound designers.
• Canadian Federation of Musicians: Professional organization for Canadian musicians.
• Playwrights Guild of Canada: National arts service association mandated to advance the creative rights and interests of professional Canadian playwrights.
• Soutien à/de la communauté culturelle québécoise – COVID-19: A Facebook group aimed at informing cultural workers, self-employed workers and artists on the measures in place for future government actions for financial support.
• Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists East: A not-for-profit that supports independent dance artists.
• Canadian Dance Assembly: Voice of the professional dance sector in Canada.
• Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists West: An alliance of dance artists.
• Canadian Association of Stand-up Comedians: A group that advocates for comedian rights in Canada.
• UBCP/ACTRA: BC’s autonomous branch of ACTRA
• Canadian Independent Music Association: a list of information and resources put together by CIMA.

Online Training Resources

• Skillshare: A free resource with classes on writing, acting and many more topics.
• Toronto Public Library eLearning portal: Free films and access to library materials for library card holders. Also check out Peterborough Public Library
• Calgary Digital Library: Access to library materials for card holders.
• Sourceful: Publicly sourced Google Docs and Sheets.

Health and mental health resources

• Crisis Services Canada: Providing suicide prevention and support. Call 1-833-456-4566.
• NABS support line: Confidential and professional assistance to marketing and communications professionals. Call 1-888-355-5548.
• Unison Counselling and Health Services: A toll-free number to connect Canadian music professionals with resources and support for personal and practical issues in English and French. Call 1-855-986-4766.
• CareMongering-TO: TO Community Response to COVID19: Facebook group connecting people in need with helpers in Toronto.

Temporary/remote job opportunities

• 25+ Sites for Finding Remote Work: A list of places you may find remote work.
• Resources for Remote Work: Google Doc with job postings that can be done remotely.

As more details become available, we will send out new bulletins. Please share any other information you may have.

Thinking of everyone in the ACH sector, friends and family.

Stay well and take care. Please don’t hesitate to call.

All the best,

Su Ditta and the EC3 Board and staff

Su Ditta
Executive Director
Electric City Culture Council (EC3)
electriccitycc@gmail.com
www.ecthree.org
705 749 9101

See our News & Information page for all the latest COVID-19 updates.

PRHC needs N95 masks to help hospital staff working during the COVID-19 epidemic.

If you have any unused and unopened masks you would be willing to donate, please follow the instructions below OR drop off in the covered plastic crate on the veranda at 591 Gilmour St. and EC3 will get them to the hospital. Many thanks for your support of front-line workers.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre
1 Hospital Dr, Peterborough, ON K9J 7C6
Drop Off Hours: Monday – Friday 7am – 3pm (loading dock at south side of building)

The Peterborough Regional Health Centre will receive donations of unopened PPE Monday – Friday, 7am – 3pm for the coming weeks (beginning March 26th). You may bring your donations to the loading dock, located at the south side of the building. It can be accessed via Alexander Avenue. You will see a ramp from the dock which leads to a door. Please knock. You will be screened for any symptoms – please stay home if you are displaying any! And your items will be received.

If you are able to donate supplies but unable to deliver them yourself, please be in touch with Sarah McGuire at peterboroughppedrive@gmail.com who may be able to arrange a pick up.

Su Ditta
Executive Director
Electric City Culture Council (EC3)
electriccitycc@gmail.com
www.ecthree.org
705 749 9101

See our News & Information page for all the latest COVID-19 updates.

“You can stay home and still access many library resources,” The Peterborough Examiner.

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

EC3 is fortunate to be in touch with a number of National and Provincial disciplinary-based arts service organizations.

Most have specific information and resources for artists working in those disciplines including relief programs, advice on contracts etc. Please check it out HERE.

We hope they can provide useful support to artists living in Peterborough.

Please take a moment and let us know what the top five issues are for you right now and any ideas that you have for relief or recovery programs.

As you have no doubt heard, the City has just declared a State of Emergency. Check out the City website here: HERE.

More information to come from EC3 tomorrow on relief initiatives.

Thinking of everyone in the ACH sector, friends and family.

All the best,

Su Ditta and the Board and staff of EC3
Executive Director
Electric City Culture Council (EC3)
electriccitycc@gmail.com
www.ecthree.org
705 749 9101

See our News & Information page for all the latest COVID-19 updates.