COVID-19 has devastated the Canadian arts community. With social distancing heavily encouraged, theatres, concert venues, art galleries and stores have been forced to close. Touring musicians have cancelled gigs, book launches have been postponed and film productions across the country are halted. As a result, many workers who already were in precarious positions find themselves even worse off.
On March 18, the federal government announced it was creating two new benefits to support workers not normally eligible for EI. However, the application won't be available until April. In the meantime, there are a number of resources for artists that will help them through a difficult time — whether that's financially, mentally or just to improve their own skills.
Following the footsteps of a group of American artists and writers who created a COVID-19 freelance artist resource list, we've created a Canadian companion list. This list will be updated as more resources become available. To add a resource, please email H.G. Watson.
Emergency funding
Woodcock Fund Grant — This grant provides emergency funds for writers mid-project.
The AFC — Provides emergency financial aid for entertainment professionals.
Unison — Provides financial aid for musicians.
Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers, tip-based workers – Administered by Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto, this fund will help cover emergency aid and paid work for LGBTQ2S artists, performers and tip-based workers.
CANADIAN Low-Income Artist/Musician Relief Fund — A group fundraising to support a relief fund.
Behind the Scenes Basic Needs Grants — Provides 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.
The Photographer Fund — A $25,000 fund to help self-employed photographers facing hardship.
Canadian Cinema Worker Fund — Fundraiser to create a fund for cinema workers who will not be compensated by their employers for the foreseeable future.
GTA Black Community Emergency Support Fund — Artist-organized community fundraiser for Black people in the GTA, particularly those working in the gig economy.
Canada Council for the Arts — While no announcement has yet been made regarding financial support for artists, Canada Council for the Arts has asked people and organizations to document the effects on their operations.
Advocacy groups
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. Its full website launches March 20.
Canada Council for the Arts — Canada's public arts funder.
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.
The Photographer Fund — A $25,000 fund to help self-employed photographers facing hardship.
Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists East — A not-for-profit that supports independent dance artists.
The Canadian Dance Assembly — Voice of the professional dance sector in Canada.
Canadian Alliance of Dance Artists West — An alliance of dance artists.
The Canadian Association of Stand-up Comedians — A group that advocates for comedian rights in Canada.
UBCP/ACTRA — B.C.'s autonomous branch of ACTRA.
Canadian Independent Music Association — A list of information and resources put together by CIMA.
Directors Guild of Canada — A national labour organization representing creative and logistical personnel in the screen-based industry covering all areas of direction, design, production and editing.
Actsafe — Health and safety association supporting British Columbia's arts and entertainment industries.
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.
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.
Distress Centres of Greater Toronto — Volunteer-delivered crisis, emotional support and suicide prevention, intervention and postvention service agency. Call 416-408-4357.
NABS support line — Confidential and professional assistance to marketing and communications professionals. Call 1-888-355-5548.
Unison — 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.
TO Community response to COVID19 Facebook group — Facebook group connecting people in need with helpers in Toronto.
Calltime; Mental Health — an initiative created by British Columbia's motion picture industry unions to provide mental health resources for motion picture industry workers.
Via CBC
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