COVID-19 July 16 2021 Update
COVID-19 RESPONSE 2021
July 16 UPDATE FOR THE ARTS COMMUNITY
TORONTO, July 16, 2021 - Toronto Arts Council is committed to providing accurate and up to date information for the arts community throughout the COVID-19 emergency response period. See here for updated COVID-19 web pages and all prior TAC releases and assembled resources.
PROVINCIAL COVID-19 REOPENING GUIDELINES
Toronto officially enters Step 3 of the provincial reopening guideline today. The most significant changes with Step 3 for the arts community are:
- indoor performance venues, theatres, concerts halls may open at 50% capacity to a maximum of 1,000 people
- outdoor performance venues may open at 75% capacity, to a maximum of 5,000 people. For outdoor venues without defined seating (i.e. parks, squares etc.), 75% capacity is determined by taking the total square metres of the area accessible to the public and dividing that number by 1.33.
- For events with City of Toronto Park Permits - we have been advised that maximum capacity will be 100 people.
SURVEYS
COVID-19: State of the sector one year later: Ontario Non-Profit Network has released its survey on the state of the non-profit sector after one year of COVID-19. Five key recommendations resulting from the survey are: 1) Offer a new round for Small Business, Non-Profit Grants 2) Support sustainable & equitable recovery; 3) Apply an equity lens to recovery efforts; 4) Invest in workforce development & digital infrastructure and 5) Extend the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).
COVID-19 FUNDING
Looking for Capital Funding? The Canada Community Revitalization Fund application deadline is July 23: The Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF) will support community infrastructure projects. Non-profits are eligible applicants. See eligibility criteria and application guide.
City of Toronto receives $19 million in federal funding to support business recovery initiatives: The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) will provide $19 million to the City of Toronto and its partners over the next two and a half years for investment in a range of main street and small business recovery initiatives. See announcement details.
Emerging artist opportunity: The City of Toronto is seeking emerging artists for the ArtworxTO Spotlight. Emerging Toronto-based artists are invited to apply for one of 52 Spotlights — one per week during ArtworxTO: Toronto's Year of Public Art 2021–2022. The deadline for submission Period One is August 8. Selected artists will receive a $250 honorarium, promotional support and mentorship.
Support for Workers in Live Arts and Music Sectors Fund, is a Department of Canadian Heritage program which funds arts organizations to hire artists and cultural workers. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis for projects to be carried out by March 31, 2022.
Upcoming TAC grant & Foundation award deadlines:
TAC INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS' GRANTS and CANADA RECOVERY BENEFIT
Are you worried about losing CRB if you apply for a TAC individual artist grant? Keep these things in mind:
- Only the net income from the grant affects CRB eligibility. The net income amount is the total grant minus project costs, including any amounts paid for materials or to other artists or partners.
- The net grant amount may be divided over the number of months the project requires, to arrive at a net monthly grant amount.
- For CRB, you are able to earn a total of $38,000 in the calendar year before any amount is taxed back.
For more information please see the following sites:
Contact TAC: Please note that TAC staff will remain available to answer your questions and provide updated information throughout the outbreak. Please contact us any time.
Other resources:
· Sign up here for the City of Toronto CultureTO and BusinessTO newsletters.
· Please see the TAC COVID-19 Updates pages for links and resources including statements from Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council.
About Toronto Arts Council
Toronto Arts Council (TAC) is the City of Toronto’s funding body for artists and arts organizations. Since 1974, TAC has played a major role in the city’s cultural industries by supporting a very broad range of artistic activity. From the emerging artist to the most established, from celebrated institutions to arts that challenge convention, TAC is typically the first funder to offer support. Today, TAC grants lead to exhibitions, performances, readings and workshops seen annually by over 5 million people. Through its ongoing funding of over $23 million annually, TAC cultivates a rich engagement between artists and audiences. It is proud to reflect Toronto’s vibrancy through the diversity of the artists, arts communities and audiences that it serves.
Contact Information
For information, please contact Susan Wright, Deputy Director:
416-392-6802 x 211 | susan@torontoartscouncil.org