Arts Sector Support Resource
This page contains links to information and resources to help Arts and Entertainment businesses mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19. Available information continues to evolve. Please check back often for updates.
Four non-profit health and safety associations contracted by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour are working to provide employers with reliable guidance on how to keep their workers and workplaces safe. Updated regularly, this resources is the most comprehensive and up-to-date place for employers to look for advice and rules at any time. Click here for updates.
In Prince Edward County, the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Industry represents 266 jobs, which is 44% above the national average. This sector of our economy has grown more than 20% since 2009.
According to a 2019 Business Retention + Expansion report, more than 90% of Arts, Entertainment and Recreation businesses classify themselves as locally-owned and operated. More than 75% of the businesses or organizations employ between one and four people, meeting Industry Canada’s definition of “micro businesses,” employing less than four paid employees, or “small businesses” that have between five and 99 paid employees.
According to a March 2020 survey from the Canada Council for the Arts:
61% of all respondents said that the arts will get through the pandemic crisis with the support of the federal government’s emergency aid measures.
43% of individual respondents said they had or would be applying to the Canada Emergency Response Benefit.
41% of organizations said they had or would be applying to the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy.
16% of respondents said they were planning to access the Canada Emergency Business Account.
No fields of practice supported by the Canada Council will be untouched by the crisis.
Certain aspects of the sector remain at risk (for example, organizations relying on self-employed professionals and organizations with high non-payroll fixed costs).
Live.Ontario
MusicTogether is organizing a living room concert series to support Ontario artists. It supports working Ontario musicians during the COVID-19 crisis with direct funding, new opportunities for fan discovery, and e-commerce tools. Apply to perform here.
Digital Originals
The Canada Council for the Arts and CBC/Radio-Canada are teaming up to launch Digital Originals, a new fast forward initiative to help artists, arts groups and organizations pivot their work for online sharing. The Digital Originals initiative supports and amplifies this new, strong and innovative online relationship between audiences and artists from Canada. Learn more here.
Event Safety Alliance - Guidance for Reopening
The Reopening Guide addresses health and sanitary issues that event and venue professionals need to consider in order to protect both patrons and workers. Read more here.
