COVID-19 March 27 Update
TORONTO, March 27, 2020 - 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.
March 27 Updates:
A short bulletin with some good news for the weekend:
The federal government today announced its commitment to provide small businesses with a 75 per cent (increased from the previously announced 10%) wage subsidy for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020. This is intended to help businesses to keep and return workers to the payroll. We have received confirmation from MP Julie Dabrusin that not-for-profit organizations will be eligible for this wage subsidy. Watch this page for more details to be announced Monday.
The TOArtist COVID-19 Response Fund announced yesterday, is already processing the first 427 applications requesting support. And, by this afternoon, an additional $75,000 in donations to support the fund were received. The fund will allocate up to $1000 to self-employed, individual artists resident in Toronto whose creative work and income have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. APPLY or DONATE.
Federal Government: On March 25 the federal government clarified its emergency response plan: The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) application portal will open early April. Benefit will be $2,000 per month for wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). Also of note for arts organizations: workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income because of disruptions to their work situation due to COVID-19, will also qualify for the CERB. This will help arts organizations keep their employees as they navigate these difficult times, while ensuring they preserve the ability to quickly resume operations as soon as it becomes possible.
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: 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 9.5 million people. Through its ongoing funding of over $18 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. For more about Toronto Arts Council, visit www.torontoartscouncil.org
Contact Information
For information, please contact Susan Wright, Deputy Director: 416-392-6802 x 211 | susan@torontoartscouncil.org