COVID-19 Resources

During these unprecedented times, many artist-caregivers have been hit with lost income while also tasked with feeding, housing, teaching and protecting the most vulnerable in our community. Theatre Direct would like to help as much as we can. Our goal is to raise $5,000 so that we can offer twenty $250 grocery gift cards to artists caring for their families at home during this crisis.

The AFC – Emergency Financial Assistance

Affordability Fund- Fund to help Ontarians who pay an electricity bill ease what they spend on electricity.

Behind the Scenes Basic Needs Grants – Behind the Scenes assists those who are seriously ill or injured. They will accept applications from anyone who meets the criteria and has been hospitalized with Covid-19.

Black Lives Matter

Canada Emergency Response Benefit – Temporary support benefit from the Canadian Government

Hydro One – Financial Assistance Programs

The Photographer Fund — A $25,000 fund to help self-employed photographers facing hardship.

National Arts Centre – The National Arts Centre will receive and administer applications until April 20, 2020 with performances currently scheduling until May 31, 2020 from professional Canadian performing artists who would like to post an online performance.  Selected artists will receive a financial grant, and their performances will be shared on the NAC’s Facebook page which will be discoverable by searching #CanadaPerforms.

MusicTogether — A $300K emergency relief fund for Ontario musicians put together by the provincial government and members of the music community. Musicians can apply for a one-time $1,000 performance fee tied to a livestream.

Toronto Arts Council – The TOArtist COVID Response Fund To assist Toronto artists in dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, Toronto Arts Foundation and Toronto Arts Council are introducing the TOArtist COVID Response Fund. The Fund will allocate up to $1000 to self-employed, individual artists resident in Toronto whose creative work and income have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Writers Union of Canada — The Writers’ Trust of Canada and The Writers’ Union of Canada (TWUC) announced the creation of the Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund to provide support to professional authors financially affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. The fund will begin with an initial amount of $150,000 and distribute grants in amounts of $1,500 to writers that have seen contracted or projected income evaporate due to the current public health crisis. Financial support for the program is supplied by three program partners: the Writers’ Trust, TWUC, and RBC.

ACTRA – Covid-19 responses and collection of information.

CAEA  – Resources & Information

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – Support for Canadians and Businesses

CDA (Canadian Dance Assembly) – Resource page

City of Toronto – COVID-19 information page

Shannon Lee Simmons – A guide to Financial Planning during COVID-19.

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 cardholders.

Toronto Tenants – A Plea to the Ontario Government to stop payment of rent for April 1st.

Help Indigenous People in Toronto – GoFundMe Campaign

COVID-19 Black Emergency Support Fund – GoFundMe Campaign

Canadian Artist + Musician Relief Fund – GoFundMe Campaign

Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers, tip-based worker

– Organised by Glad Day