Volume 9 - Issue 4

Thursday,March 26, 2020
Hello

A MESSAGE FROM STAFF
 
The City of St. Catharines Cultural Services Office

We hope this email finds you, your family and your loved ones in good health. In this time of social distancing, we also hope you are all finding ways to connect and stay engaged.
 
The Cultural Services Office is trying to find ways to support you through COVID-19. Everything is still very much in flux at this point and, until we've weathered this, it will be difficult to comprehend the full extent of how this situation has affected our community.
 
We recognize that the COVID-19 crisis will impact everyone's lives and organizations / operations / businesses going forward. We understand you will be making many tough decisions in the next weeks and months regarding future programs, events and business hours. Please reach out if we can help. 
  • We can assist with posting any online events/outreach or content.
  • We can assist in getting the word out about cancellations.
  • We can provide guidance in regards to current or future SCCIP funding applications.
If you have questions or comments, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Email is the best way to contact us as we work from home as much as possible.  You can reach us at [email protected]

We hope you are all staying safe and healthy.
 
All the best,
Kathleen Powell, Acting Supervisor, Cultural Services, Olivia Hope, Ashley Judd-Rifkin and Michelle Nicholls, Culture Coordinators
CITY OF ST. CATHARINES ARTS AWARDS 
 
Event Postponed

The difficult decision has been made to postpone the 2020 City of St. Catharines Arts Awards (originally scheduled for May 1). Organizers are working on rescheduling the event, and will announce more details as they become available.
And on social media: 
Please follow us for the most up to date information, and resources that may be helpful in this time of uncertainty.
ST. CATHARINES CULTURAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM 
(SCCIP) FUNDING OPPORTUNITY


Culture Days Activity Program

Funding to support artists, organizations and businesses to deliver activities during Culture Days 2020.

Applications are due by this Friday, March 27, 4:30 pm.

Need assistance? Staff are available Monday - Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm at [email protected]. If you have concerns about your application, you must contact staff BEFORE the application deadline. 

Full details: 

Image: Artist Metka Manfreda teaches participants how to make mono-type prints during Culture Days 2019.
CALL TO ARTISTS

City of St. Catharines 2020 Annual Juried Exhibit
MORE THAN WORDS: Truth and Reconciliation
 
While you are at home or in your studio practicing social distancing, maybe consider creating some art for this upcoming exhibition opportunity!

More Than Words is asking artists "What does reconciliation mean to you? What does action look like? Is it abstract and complex, a representation of healing, and/or something that can be practiced in our everyday lives?" 

Artists are being asked to create works in response to action #83 from the " Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action."

Presented in partnership with the Niagara Regional Native Centre.
 
Deadline: June 22, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.
 
RESOURCES
FOR ARTS ORGANIZATIONS & ARTISTS

Telephone Town Hall with  Minister Lisa MacLeod,
Ontario Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture
On Thursday mornings, to  discuss COVID-19 and its impact on the sector.
To join, RSVP to [email protected] and send along any questions that you might have for the Minister.


Resources Compiled by the CBC
A list of where Canadian artists and freelancers can find help during COVID-19 shutdowns.


Ontario Presents
Has compiled a list of resources to help the performing arts sector respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. https://ontariopresents.ca/

They are also offering to share their conference call services  free of charge to any Ontario-based artist, agent, presenter, or other arts presenting industry professional who has a need to host an online or phone meeting and does not have the means to do so. P lease contact [email protected]


The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT)

 
Canadian Arts Presenting Association (CAPACOA) 
Has created a document (updated daily) with the intention to provide factual information, recommendations and resources to help the live performance sector prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak in Canada. https://capacoa.ca/


Playwrights Guild of Canada
Another emergency resource document created for marginalized artists and communities:
https://bit.ly/3a9IjXI


I Lost My Gig Canada
A space for creative industries and other vulnerable freelance and gig economy workers to connect and share stories in response to growing income precarity in Canada due to COVID-19.


Cancelling? Need Assistance Getting the Word Out?
Need to cancel your event due to COVID-19 and need help getting the word out?
UPCOMING DIGITAL EVENTS
The TD Niagara Jazz Festival - Facebook Live Performance
Monday, March 30, 7 pm
In Your Own Backyard Guitar Series with James Bryan
Visit their facebook page and select event reminder:  https://www.facebook.com/jazzniagara/


Niagara Artists - Digital Concert presented by Mainly Niagara
Friday, March 27, 7 to 9 pm
Hosted by Niagara Comedian David Green with  performances by Jessica Wilson, Ryan Lunn, Ashlee Standish, Rafik, Errunhrd, Gravely James, Robert Alfieri and Gavin Ray & Matt Anthony. Levi Mann and Jeffrey Stroop will provide stand-up comedy, Heather Fraser will do live art demonstrations and Local Louie will conduct interviews. 


URGNT - Livestream Toronto Concerts


Playwrights Guild Of Canada | Hosting Seven Hour Play Reading Relay
On World Theatre Day, Friday, March 27th, 11am to 6pm EST.
28 playwrights will be participating. 
Available to the public:  https://zoom.us/j/374858022
WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH ARTS & CULTURE ONLINE
The St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre
Follow along with the Museum Blog - offering additional digital resources: 
And live programs including activities and gallery tours on Facebook:


St. Catharines Public Library | Access to free digital resources: 


The National Film Board of Canada  
More than 4,000 titles available for kids and families to see for free online, from fiction and documentaries to classics and animated features at  www.nfb.ca


National Ballet of Canada
Hosting live dance lessons on Instagram at www.instagram.com/nationalballet 


Stay at Home Fest
Until COVID-19 ends, artists are moving their events online, and we need a place to find them. Stay At Home Fest brings these events together into a massive ongoing music festival-style calendar, along with a curated "Main Stage Event." www.stayathomefest.com


Art Tutor.com
Art tutor is a fantastic resource for artists of all ages and mediums! Checkout their large selection of tutorials on youtube.  https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtTutorOnline/videos


Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
Author and illustrator of bestselling books for kids including " Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus" provides daily art lessons for kids.


Stream Broadway Productions
Free 7 day trial.  https://www.broadwayhd.com/


Stream the Metropolitan Opera
Daily performances, begin at 7:30pm ET and will remain available via the homepage for 23 hours. www.metopera.org  


Virtual Tours of Internationally Renowned Art Museums
OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Volunteers |  In the Soil Arts Festival

The Cultural Services office is a division of the City of St. Catharines' Community , Recreation and Culture Services department. Cultural Services focuses on public art, community development, planning and policy related to arts and culture in the City of St. Catharines.