Having the funds and going through the process of running a Compassion Fund made it possible to continue it and to potentially expand the project in the future. Having access to the pilot project enabled us to support our artists more fully.

Jenn Sartor

Producer, Theatre Passe Muraille

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Theatre Passe Muraille

Theatre Passe Muraille

Fund to increase supports for artists and staff

Level UP! Strategy Area: Compassion Fund

Pilot Project: A Compassion Fund to support productions and workshops

Project Duration: 2023/2024 season

Continuing to Implement: Yes

Resources Shared: Project Field Notes, Compassion Fund Email Offer

About Theatre Passe Muraille

Location: Ontario
Artistic Discipline: Theatre
Operating Budget: More than $1,000,000

Founded in 1968, Theatre Passe Muraille (TPM) is Canada’s original alternative theatre company, currently developing and producing new Canadian plays. TPM is striving to articulate a distinctly Canadian voice that reflects the complexity of our intercultural society, and believes there should be a more diverse representation of artists, audience members, and stories in theatre. TPM aspires to be a leader locally, nationally, and internationally in establishing, promoting, and embracing collaborative and inclusive theatre practices so that we can support and ignite the voices of unique artists, communities, and audiences.

Theatre Passe Muraille’s Level UP! Project

After successfully rolling out an Accessible Transportation Fund for artists and audience members, TPM became interested in how they could expand supports available, particularly for contracted artists. During the 2023/2024 season, TPM piloted a Compassion Fund which provided support for artists and staff across multiple productions and initiatives. Contracted artists were invited to access the fund to help with expenses incurred during the rehearsal and performance period. Most artists who accessed the fund used it to help with travel or health and wellness expenses. TPM also used a portion of the funds to offer a yoga class for artists and staff.

Project Highlights:

    • Offering flexibility in how the funds could be used
    • Distributing the fund in two different ways: via a contract rider or an honorarium

Resources

Theatre Passe Muraille | Project Field Notes

About This Resource Theatre Passe Muraille shared these Project Field Notes in 2024 as part of their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Project. Their project focused on developing a Compassion Fund to support artists and staff members engaged in productions, workshops,...

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Theatre Passe Muraille | Compassion Fund Offer Email

About This Resource Theatre Passe Muraille shared this Compassion Fund Email Offer template in 2024 as part of their Balancing Act Level UP! Pilot Project. The template was used to communicate details about their Compassion Fund to artists and staff.

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More Information

For more information about Theatre Passe Muraille, visit passemuraille.ca.

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