COVID-19 June 4 2021 Update

COVID-19 RESPONSE June 4 UPDATE FOR THE ARTS COMMUNITY

TORONTO, June 4, 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. 

MAKING SURE THE ARTS COUNT

Toronto Foundation is compiling information for its next Vital Signs report. To make sure the impact of COVID-19 on the arts is covered - please take a few minutes to complete the Toronto Non-profit Survey. Funders and donors rely on Vital Signs for Toronto funding decisions - help make sure the arts are in the forefront.

PROVINCIAL COVID-19 REOPENING GUIDELINES

See provincial guidelines for reopening. Expect an announcement early next week confirming the date the province will enter Step 1. Toronto arts leaders, including TAPA and TAC, are advocating for regulatory fairness for the arts and clarification of capacity limits. We will publish any significant updates as they are announced.

COVID-19 FUNDING

Toronto Arts Council Open Door 2021 is a $1 million+ grants program to support arts organizations as they transition, transform and thrive in response to the on-going global pandemic. Applications from arts organizations and collectives will be accepted until July 15, 2021 and funding will reach successful applicants in the fall. See detailed application guidelines and information here.

Canada Healthy Communities Initiative is a $31 million grant program designed to transform public spaces in response to COVID-19. Non-profit arts organizations are eligible to apply. Deadline for the second round is June 25. See recipients from round one mapped here.

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 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