As the performing arts sector reels from the effects of sudden and escalating COVID-19 risk mitigation measures, we are being inundated with communications while trying to navigate next steps.
For the artists I represent and other independent theatre artists in Calgary, I’ve tried to provide some practical suggestions below. I’ll keep it updated as much as possible.
Resources & Links
1. Calgary Arts Development has the most comprehensive page for local artists with links to resources and actions. https://calgaryartsdevelopment.com/announcements/information-about-covid-19/
They are holding a COVID-19 virtual town hall meeting on Tuesday, March 24 at 3 PM MST.
2. PACT has also been taking a lead role. https://pact.ca/covid-19-resource-page/
They are holding weekly virtual town halls on COVID-19 starting Thursday, March 19 at 11 AM MST.
Please track messages from Equity and other associations if applicable to your organization.
3. Here is one of many artist resources pages popping up:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j5G-290oBGludXRJEV4pS-sdefCX9MWUkwk2WT7K99Y/edit?usp=sharing
The I Lost My Gig Canada Facebook group is becoming a collective conversation and resource.
Granting Agencies and Funding
1. All artists impacted by COVID-19 risk mitigation factors, such as cancelled or postponed events, need to be carefully documenting their financial impacts, keeping receipts, contract copies, and correspondence, etc. so that you have everything you need when asked to submit your cases later.
2. Stay on top of announcements from your funding agencies and reach out as required, especially if you have approved or pending project and travel grants/applications impacted by COVID-19.
For example: Canada Council is advising applicants concerned about having submitted an application which is now ineligible or not applicable and which may count towards their annual limits, to withdraw their grant applications. Travel grants are staying open until March 23, 2020 in order to enable applicants to withdraw. More updates to follow.
Please refer to: https://canadacouncil.ca/covid-19-information#Suspension
3. Here's a summary of the new Income Support programs announced by the Federal Government on March 18, 2020:
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/news/2020/03/canadas-covid-19-economic-response-plan-support-for-canadians-and-businesses.html
and a link to their website with information on “Helping Businesses Keep their Workers”:
Advocacy and Documentation
Calgary Arts Development is one of your key advocates.
1. CAD Survey due March 19, tracking the impact of COVID-19:
In order to measure impacts and advocate to different levels of government, Calgary Art Development has distributed a survey open to all Calgary artists. Please fill it out by March 19 at noon: http://calgaryartsdevelopment.hostedincanadasurveys.ca/index.php/234789?lang=en
2. Department of Canadian Heritage is welcoming submissions to document the impact of COVID-19, and you can resubmit as your situation changes:
3. TRACKING CANCELLED EVENTS:
I encourage artists to submit their cancelled or postponed events to the various sources collectively tracking them in order to help share individual stories while aggregating the impact. Here are a few:
Calgary-wide:
i. Calgary Arts Development event listings: please email events@calgaryartsdevelopment.com so they can update listings and share your information.
ii. Calgary Herald is keeping an active list: https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/calgary-cancelled-events-covid-19-coronavirus/. Please email your cancelled or postponed events to jroe@postmedia.com.
iii. CBC Calgary: COVID-19 local updates along with cancellations and closures. https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/localcovid19/?region=AB&subregion=calgary
iv. Calgary Arts Google Doc: A crowdsourced list of show and work cancellations due to COVID-19 measures. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xd84iEmsrNAnaTcVEKPPt6z-PSr5iTuS3q38NTXsKgU/edit
Canada-wide:
v. I Lost My Gig Canada is part of an international “I Lost My Gig” initiative: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ILostMyGigCa
3. Direct Advocacy to Your Members of Government
Reach out to your organization’s members of government with clear and detailed information about the financial and business operation impacts of COVID-19, on the lost opportunity towards community impact, and other lost opportunities to complete your case. Potentially get together with other arts organizations and submit letters jointly. Make sure that your voices as independent artists are heard.
I am sure you know your own reps but here are the ridings that many of Calgary’s arts organizations fall into:
Government of Canada: Mr. Greg McLean, Calgary Centre MP: Email greg.mclean@parl.gc.ca
Government of Alberta: Mr. Joe Ceci, NDP, MLA for Calgary-Buffalo, email: Calgary.Buffalo@assembly.ab.ca
City of Calgary – Councillors and Mayor
Ward 7: Druh Farrell, email: druh.farrell@calgary.ca
Ward 8: Evan Woolley, email: evan.woolley@calgary.ca
Ward 11: Jeromy Farkas, email: jeromy.farkas@calgary.ca
Mayor: Naheed Nenshi, email: themayor@calgary.ca
4. Tell Your Own Story
Use your website and social media channels to tell your story. It’s important for stakeholders and community members to understand the breadth and depth of the impacts fighting COVID-19 will have on our precarious arts sector, and especially to hear from the many independent artists who do not feature in headlines.
5. Participate
Artist-driven initiatives are popping up to share work and maintain an artistic community online – for example, The Social Distancing Festival. https://www.socialdistancingfestival.com/