This list was compiled by the Akin Projects board and the Akin Team as a resource guide for artists, freelancers, and creatives who are in need of support during this challenging time. This list was last updated on March 24, 2020.
Resources Announced from the Federal Government
The federal government has announced an $82 billion COVID-19 Economic Response Plan including provisions for support to workers and businesses. Artists and arts workers may be eligible for the Emergency Support Benefit which will be delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency to provide support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment.
The emergency aid plan includes:
A temporary boost to Canada Child Benefit payments, delivering about $2 billion in extra support.
A new Emergency Care Benefit of up to $900 biweekly, up to 15 weeks, to provide income support to workers, including the self-employed, who have to stay home and don't qualify for paid sick leave or employment insurance. The measure could disburse up to $10 billion.
A new Emergency Support Benefit to provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment.
A six-month, interest-free reprieve on student loan payments.
Doubling the homeless care program.
Extending the tax filing deadline to June 1.
Allowing taxpayers to defer until after Aug. 31 tax payments that are due after today and before September.
$305 million for a new Indigenous Community Support Fund to address immediate needs in First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation communities.
A GST credit for low-income Canadians.
Special support for the homeless and shelters helping people escaping gender-based violence.
Other Funding Announcements
The Toronto Arts Foundation is about to launch a major response fund which will directly support individual artists who have lost income due to cancelled engagements. At this point they have $500,000 committed to the fund. Grants are intended to be emergency funding, and will be for $500 to $1000. For more information visit https://torontoartsfoundation.org/home
Community Groups
TO Community response to COVID19 Facebook group - A group for sharing and organizing community resources in response to COVID-19. The goal of this group is to organize the local community on the grassroots level to ensure vulnerable community members have access to food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities.
Other Lists of Resources
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resources - an aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.
CBC Arts: Here's where Canadian artists and freelancers can find help during COVID-19 shutdowns - This list is continuously updated
COVID-19 Resources - A resource sheet consolidating a number of grassroots resources re: Mutual Aid, Disability Justice, and Community Care; Holistic Health; Organizing & Activism; Critical Political Analysis and more.
COVID-19 Resources by Women In Sound - an ongoing list of free and discounted educational resources, software licenses, webinars, online courses, and enjoyable media for these uncertain times.
Financial Relief Resources for Artists During COVID-19 - list (American focused resources)
Digital Tools for Artists to Run a Remote Career During COVID-19 - list by Artwork Archive
How to Support Artists and the Arts During COVID-19 - list for those looking to offer support
Akin Collective Community Resources - list of general community resources compiled by Akin
Social Isolation Mental Health Resources Worksheet - everything from learning resources and physical activities to mental health contacts from Artisan Asylum.
COVID-19 Resource List - compiled by ArtReach
COVID-19 Emergency Resources For Marginalized Artists & Communities - This list includes Mutual Aid Funds, Petitions & more, compiled by CUE, a radical arts initiative dedicated to supporting new generation artists who live and work on the margins.
Ello Creative Resources List - A list of resources to protect your work, your career, and more. Compiled by Ello Creative
Findhelp - a charitable, nonprofit agency providing public access to information about community and social services through help lines, web directories, and specialized tools and training to help people find help.
COVID-19 Toronto - A list of resources that can be accessed on phone and browser. (ie. give, need, health, fun, ask)
GODADDY COVID-19 Small Business Support - #OpenWeStand is for anyone who is keeping the economic health of small businesses top of mind in this challenging time. The website has resources, inspiration and connection to other everyday entrepreneurs with creative solutions to keep their businesses open, even if their doors are closed.
Theatre Resources for Isolation - A massive list of different opportunities for reading, watching, listening and writing.
Art at Home - A guide to enjoying art at home (art contests, museums, art games, digital art, art education and art at home)
Legal Services
Legal Aid Ontario - to find a community legal clinic near you.
COVID-19: Updates on the law and legal services - practical answers to the important questions that people are asking about the law relating to the COVID-19 situation. Also sharing updates about changes to government programs and court services.
Financial Support / Income Loss
Updates from the City of Toronto’s Economic Support & Recovery Task ForceEmergency Fund for Toronto's Precarious WorkersWoodcock Fund Grant — emergency funds for writers mid-project
NABS financial assistance for media, marketing, and communications pros
The AFC — Emergency financial aid for entertainment pros
Unison — financial aid for musicians
Emergency fund for precarious workers in Toronto
Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers, tip-based workers
CANADIAN Low-Income Artist/Musician Relief Fund
Behind the Scenes - Providing financial support to entertainment technology professionals in need.Canadian Low-Income Artist/Musician Relief Fund
Unison — financial aid for musicians
Black Emergency Support Fund from BLMTO Donate // Apply
Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers, tip-based workers by Glad Day Bookshop: Donate // Apply
The AFC — Emergency financial aid for entertainment pros
North American Mutual Aid Fund for LGBTQI+ BIPOC Folks
Toronto Dancers COVID-19 Relief Fund
Government of Canada: Making EI claims specific to COVID-19
The Creator Fund - a fund to help creators in need during the COVID-19 pandemic
National Arts Centre Grants for Performing Artists: Artists in any discipline can apply for a $1,000 grant to support a 45- to 60-minute livestream performance planned between March 19 and 31. To apply for the grant, performing artists or ensembles of less than 10 people should submit their name, a description of their performance, the date and the streaming platform (which doesn’t have to be Facebook). The email address is CanadaPerforms@nac-cna.ca.
National Theatre School of Canada - Urgent support for emerging artists
Upcoming Scholarships & Awards
Dalton Camp Award - a $10,000 prize for the best essay on the link between media and democracy, presented annually by FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting.
Fellowship in Higher Education Journalism - Open to full-time, part-time, and freelance journalists, including students, the fellowship is designed to support those wishing to pursue in-depth and innovative journalism on higher education.
Advocacy and Resources for Freelancers
I Lost My Gig Canada - a space for creative industries and other vulnerable freelance and gig economy workers to connect and share stories in response to growing income precarity in Canada.Gig Cancellations due to Coronavirus: Survival Tips for FreelancersCanceled Gigs Due to Coronavirus? Here’s What You Can Do - articleHow Performers Can Survive the “Year of the Cancellation - article
CMG Freelance - Canada’s autonomous affiliate of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and the national parent union of the Canadian Media Guild.
S'ATTAQ — Labour union for freelancers
ACTRA - Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the union of more than 23,000 professional performers working in English-language recorded media in Canada including TV, film, radio and digital media.
IATSE Canadian locals - International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts
Canadian Actors Equity Association
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 working in the live performing arts in Canada.
Canadian Federation of Musicians
Online Learning and Training Resources
Poynter News University - 100+ interactive journalism courses
Skillshare — lots of free classes on writing, acting, and more!
Master Class - paid service providing online coursesCoursera - free online courses
Toronto Public Library eLearning portal — free for Toronto library card holders
Sourceful — publicly sourced Google Docs and Sheets
Canadian Improv Games Online Training Resource
Free Online Classes - listEducational Webinars from WorkInCulture - Creative Boost Series // Hustle + Thrive Series
Online Work Tools
Zoom - video conferencing, free account optionsLoom - record and share videos for freeGoogle Hangouts - video meetings for your business
OBS Studio - Free and open source software for video recording and live streaming
Resources for Selling your work from home:
Big Cartel - easy online stores for artists and makersPatreon - reach buyers and make an income with PatreonSociety6 - create products from your art for sale Saatchi Art - Marketplace for art Partial Gallery - Art marketplace / platform for artists and art seekers to connect Private Rooms on Artwork Archive - create a private online gallery of your worksgiftforward.ca - sell gift cards for your business
Health and Mental Health Resources
Telehealth Ontario: Call if you develop symptoms of COVID-19: 1-866-797-0000Toronto Public Health Telephone Hotline: 416 338 7600 // TTY: 416 392 0658Crisis Services Canada - A 24/7 toll-free line for people in distress, crisis or are experiencing suicidal thoughts. Phone: 1-833-456-4566Looking for information about mental health, addiction, or gambling services and supports in your community? Call ConnexOntario for mental health services in Ontario: 1-866-531-2600 (toll-free).Distress Centres of Greater Toronto - 24-hour support, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to individuals in our community at risk and their most vulnerable. We are Canada’s oldest volunteer delivered crisis, emotional support and suicide prevention + intervention + postvention service agency.
NABS support line — 1-888-355-5548 - confidential and professional assistance to marketing and communications professionals to help them deal with their personal or professional issues.
Unison — Counselling for musicians
Coronavirus Anxiety Toolkit - Resources for anxiety and your mental health in a global climate of uncertaintyCoronavirus Sanity Guide by Ten Percent Happier
Coronavirus & OCDSuggested health & safety guidelines for volunteers supporting high-risk community members during COVID19
Mental Health Resources - COVID19 - list
City of Toronto COVID-19 Resource HubPublic Health Ontario fact sheets on self-monitoring and self-isolation in multiple languages Call 311 or visit this web page for information on non-crisis mental health services in TorontoThe 519: Mental Health, Housing & Newcomer Services (available by Phone & Online);
The Canadian Mental Health Association created a reference guide to Mental Health Resources in Toronto. The Guide includes listings of organizations and groups that offer support, along with their phone numbers.
Temporary / Remote Job Opportunities
Find a freelancer — doc for freelance writers and photogs to be connected with editors
25+ Sites for Finding Remote Work
Resources for Remote Work
Tutoring online with Cambly
Seer English - Teaching English online
VIP Kid - Teaching English online
Remote OK - Remote job postings
Cherrydeck - Find / connect with creative professionals
Upwork - look for freelance work, hire a freelancer
Freelancer - look for freelance work, hire a freelancer
Work in Culture - For cultural sector jobs
Charity Village - For jobs across the non-profit sector
Creative Tips
Toronto Gallery Closures and Resources List - compiled by Akimbo
Webinar: Artists in a Time of Global Pandemic (recording)
Be Focused Pro App - helps you to get things done by breaking up individual tasks into intervals
Rescue Time - With more time online, it’s easy to get distracted. This helps you understand how you spend your time online
Upcoming Calls For Submission
The Artist Incubator Lab 2020-2021: Call for Emerging Artists - Deadline March 31 2020
Artcite Inc. - Deadline April 1st 2020
Ottawa School of Art 2021 Exhibition Season - Deadline April 3rd 2020
The Curatorial Incubator, v.16: Living In Hope - Deadline April 6th 2020
Triennale Banlieue! Interrègnes: Contemporary Art, Geography, Ecosystems and Community Involvement - Deadline April 15th 2020
Mary E. Black Gallery - Call for Exhibition Submissions 2022, Deadline April 30th 2020
Virtual Opportunities, Experiences, and Entertainment
Social Distancing Festival - An online artist community made to celebrate and showcase the work of the many artists around the world who have been affected by COVID-19
Koffler Digital
AkimboTV
National Gallery of Canada online Magazine and YouTube channel. Continue enjoying art from the national collection during this exceptional closure.
Esker Foundation – Watch & Listen - Latest mini-documentaries, exhibition montages, and insights from current and previous exhibiting artists, curators, programmers, preparators, and community members to discover more about their exhibitions and program.
Indigenous Cinema - A website that offers free streaming of more than 200 titles by Indigenous directors.
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) - The world's largest documentary film festival is giving viewers access to 302 films released between 1988 and 2019 on its website, free of charge
National Film Board of Canada - You can find films on NFB’s website and it also has an app for mobile devices and smart TV's.
New York Public Library - You can now download over 300,000 books from the NYPL for free
An epic 12-hour spiritual jazz mix
Stay At Home - Online music festival and events calendar
Social Distancing Colouring Fun Sheets
Food and Fitness
Cookie and Kate - 50 Pantry-friendly recipes
Kendal Hills Farm - Virtual Farmers Market with delivery
Planet Fitness YouTube Channel - Free home workouts for anyone and everyone
Hasfit - Home workouts
Petitions / Letters To Gov't re: COVID-19
Urgent Action: Eviction Freeze, Rent Flexibility, EI for All, Loan Payment Freeze by ACORN Canada Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario
Change.org Petition - Cancel rent and mortgage payments during COVID-19
Change.org Petition - Support for Entrepreneurs, Consultants & Gig Economy & Part-time Workers
Support Migrant Demands! - COVID-19 Response Must Leave No One Behind by Migrant Rights Network
Tell the Federal Government to Support Workers Amid COVID-19 by Broadbent Institute
Other Resources
“Half Assed Disabled Prepper Tips for Preparing for a Coronavirus Quarantine”
Update on COVID-19 for Employers: Ontario to Amend the ESA to Protect Jobs
Status of City Services - Visit this link or call 311
Canada Council statement and supports Canada Council for the Arts COVID-19 update
https://canadacouncil.ca/covid-19-information
‘The Canada Council recognizes the extraordinary and devastating impact that COVID-19 is likely to have on the arts sector.Our next step is to understand and capture how the impacts of COVID-19 will affect individual artists, groups and organizations. We are asking all grant recipients to document related effects on their operations. We are presently working with Canadian Heritage and our federal government on practical and immediate ways to help the arts sector face the challenges of COVID-19. Further information will be provided as soon as decisions have been made.
Toronto Arts Council statement
With the outbreak of COVID-19, TAC is aware that grant recipient organizations may face extraordinary challenges.
For specific questions and to advise TAC of concerns, please contact your program manager.
Organizations or collectives may postpone or adjust projects affected by the COVID-19 outbreak without penalty from TAC. Organizations receiving core funding will not be required to have replacement programming for events or activities that are delayed, changed or cancelled due to COVID-19.
Art Toronto statement and support for artists
During this time, we have elected to work on a number of initiatives that we invite you to participate in if you are able. Please email info@arttoronto.ca with your submissions.
Exhibition & Event Calendar
Our goal is to create a schedule of gallery openings and events, which we will promote once the quarantine period has ended. If you would like to be included, please reach out to us as you determine your exhibition schedule with the following information:
Exhibition Title
Artists
Dates
Location
Press release and/or short statement (250 words max.)
Arts Reading List
We are also working to build an arts-focused reading list to share with our audience – if you have been reading any publications or articles of particular interest, please share!
Social Media
Social media is an important outlet during this time, and as such, we are hoping to create content that will serve our community. If you would like to share, we welcome your responses to the following:
A video statement (or short written statement) by you or an artist you represent around the transformative role art can play in responding to difficult times—this could be in reference to historic moments, current projects you are part of/aware of, or any other interpretation of your choosing
Images or video of recent home installations you have completed (omitting the collectors personal information)
A video statement (or short written statement accompanied by an image) of how your interactions with the work in your home has changed during this time (have you re-installed or moved work around? Have you had particular insights on a specific work being in such close and constant proximity?)