Tapestry Opera’s production of Of the Sea. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
We did some small things that were new, and put many things we were already doing under the heading of Level UP! (flexible work hours and location, parental leave policies). But these are small steps to address a deep and glaring gap in process, budgets, and culture that exist much more broadly in the sector. The good news is that these small steps went a long way towards making artists feel seen and appreciated; the bad news is that the bar is so low so the work is ongoing.
Tapestry Opera
Tapestry Opera
Compassion Fund for Artists and Arts Workers
Level UP! Strategy Area: Compassion Fund
Pilot Project: Developed a Compassion Fund for contracted artists and arts workers
Continuing to Implement: Yes
About Tapestry Opera
Location: Ontario
Artistic Discipline: Opera
Operating Budget: More than $1,000,000
Tapestry Opera is an award-winning Toronto-based company that is dedicated to creating, developing and performing new works of opera. We have a mandate to create powerful opera that reflects and changes the world around us, bringing together art forms, creators, and communities to create boundary-pushing work. Founded in 1979, Tapestry supports emerging artists, develops new audiences and brings Canadian opera to the world stage.
Tapestry Opera’s Level UP! Project
Tapestry Opera, in partnership with Obsidian Theatre, developed a Compassion Fund for contracted artists and arts workers for Of The Sea by Kanika Ambrose, co-produced with Obsidian Theatre at the Bluma Appel Theatre in Toronto, March 25–April 1, 2023. Tapestry Opera concurrently instigated a Childcare and Parental Leave Policy pilot.
Project Highlights:
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- Aimed to respond to the potential wellness needs of artists within a production with difficult content through the Compassion Fund
- Used a “percentage of budget” approach to support the fund—3% of the full artistic budget is allocated to the Compassion Fund across all productions
Resources
Tapestry Opera | Project Field Notes
About This Resource Tapestry Opera created these Project Field Notes in 2024 in reflection of their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Project.
Tapestry Opera | Compassionate Fund Email Offer
About This Resource Obsidian Theatre Company and Tapestry Opera created this Compassionate Fund Email Offer template in 2023 as part of their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Projects. The email was sent out to contracted artists and arts workers prior to the...
Tapestry Opera | Pilot Childcare and Parental Leave Policy
About This Resource Tapestry Opera created this Pilot Childcare and Parental Leave Policy in 2022, following their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Project. The policy is a succinct document that includes strategic goals and outlines policies for parental leave and child...
More Information
For more information about Tapestry Opera, visit tapestryopera.com.
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