Organizations offer funds to help artists, cultural institutions amid COVID-19

Arts organizations are injecting funds to help cultural institutions and creators stay financially afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Canada Council for the Arts says it will issue $60 million in advances by early May to 1,100 organizations it supports with long-term funding to help cover their bills and settle outstanding payments to workers.

The arm’s-length agency is also encouraging artists to explore the option available to them as part of Ottawa’s emergency aid package.

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Meanwhile, the Writers’ Trust of Canada and The Writers’ Union of Canada have created a $150,000 emergency relief fund to support the literary community.

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The fund will distribute $1,500 grants to writers who have suffered financial losses because of the postponement or cancellation of book tours, appearances, contracts and other projects.

The Writers’ Union of Canada says a survey of its membership suggests that writers are suffering an average loss of nearly $3,300 because of the COVID-19 crisis.