Artist-Run Centres and COVID-19

 

LAST UPDATE: April 14, 2020.

This post will be updated periodically as the situation evolves.

 

Artist-Run Centres and COVID-19

COVID-19 will have a tremendous impact on the artist-run centres network and its human resources, including artists and self-employed workers. The Governement of Canada announced emergency aid to all workers affected by closures and layoffs. We are paying close attention to evolving information relevant to our publicly funded organizations and will keep you updated. Links to the information pages of government agencies, departments and toolkit are included below.

The Minister’s office and the Canada Council for the Arts are asking that we document financial losses and other effects of self-isolation to help decide next steps for support; in response to this directive, ARCA and her allies have prepared a survey to document and assess the impact of COVID-19 on your communities.

The survey was shared with ARCA’s regional representatives for distribution to their members :

Eddie Ayoub, representing MARCC, Artistic Director of Art City inc., Winnipeg, MB
Catherine Bodmer, representing the RCAAQ, Adjunct Director, RCAAQ, Montreal, QC
Lise Leblanc, representing AGAVF, Executive Director of AGAVF in Ottawa, ON
Amber Phelps Bondaroff, representating PARCA, Programming Coordinator at Neutral Ground, Regina, SK
Ginger Carlson, representating AAARC, Director of Truck Contemporary Art, Calgary, AB
Sally Wolchyn-Raab, Interim Atlantis representant, Artistic Director, Eyelevel, Halifax, NS
Katrina Orlowski, representating PAARC, Communications Manager, grunt, Vancouver, BC
Dermot Wilson, representing ARCCO  (North region)
Jonathan Middleton, representing ARCCO, Executive Director of Art Metropole, Toronto, ON
Tiphaine Girault-Bath, member at large, SPILL, Gatineau, QC
Daina Warren, Indigenous Consultant, Winnipeg, MB

 

Toolkit

Tips for Completing Record of Employment Forms with respect to COVID-19

ARCA’s Digital Literacy resources: Cloud computing: comparative table and transition calendar

Coco’s tip sheet on running online meetings

 

Links to regularly updated information

As the situation is evolving rapidly, this message is an opportunity for us to share some resources that could be useful to you and your respective networks:

  • For the most up-to-date and authoritative information regarding the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada, please consult the website of the Public Health Agency of Canada and the website of your local public health authorities. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update
  • The government of Canada has announced a three-month Temporary Wage Subsidy for eligible employers to reduce the amount of payroll deductions equal to 10% of remittance, or $ 1,375  per employee.
  • The government of Canada has just announced an up to 75 per cent Emergency wage subsidy for businesses and NFPs with 30% revenue losses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This will help keep and return workers to the payroll.

 

Alberta Foundation for the Arts – AFA response to the COVID-19
Arts Nova Scotia – Extended Deadlines & Updated Instructions for Submitting Applications
BC Arts Council – Message from the Chair
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec – Message aux artistes et organismes
Conseil des arts de Montréal – Message to oganizations and collectives in all disciplines
Manitoba Arts Council – COVID FAQs
New Brunswick Arts Board – COVID19 and artsnb
Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council – News
NWT Arts Council –  Facebook feed
Ontario Arts Council – COVID-19 OAC Activity Updates
PEI Arts Grants Funding – PEI Updates and resources
Saskatchewan Arts Board – Saskatchewan Arts Board Statement
Toronto Arts Council – Press Releases and Announcements

 

ARCA wishes to thank le RCAAQ, IMAA, Heather Young, Young Associates, ArtsPond, COCo (the Centre for Community Organizations) and members of the Visual Arts Alliance for generously sharing their copy and resources for wider sharing.