Meet the Artist: Augusto Bitter

The Meet The Artist series highlights amazing and talented performing arts professionals from diverse backgrounds. 

NETWORK NEWS & EVENTS

Funding Updates: Small Business Relief Fund & Other Grants

Yesterday, the Ontario Government announced that they would be providing targeted relief for businesses and people impacted by the current public health measures aimed at blunting the spread of the Omicron variant. As part of this plan, the government is introducing a $10,000 grant for eligible businesses that are subject to closures under the modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen and is providing additional electricity-rate relief for businesses, as well as workers and families spending more time at home.

Businesses that were eligible for the previous Ontario Small Business Support grant will be contacted about the new program.

Additionally, online applications for the Ontario Business Costs Rebate Program will open on January 18th. This program will provide eligible businesses that are required to close or reduce capacity with rebate payments for up to 100% of the property tax and energy costs they incur while subject to public health measures in response to the Omicron variant. 

The team at OP will provide further updates when more details become available. 

Below is a list of other funds that are available for business who are currently in need of financial support. Thanks to our friends at PACT for helping us compile this list.

• Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP) 
• Hardest Hit Business Recovery Program (HHBRP) 
• The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB)Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit 
• COVID-19 wage and hiring support for businesses
• COVID-19 rent and property expense support for businesses
• Local Lockdown Program: (This program is awaiting regulatory approval.) 

Farewells and New Opportunities at Meaford

OP extends a heartfelt farewell and congratulations to Susan Lake, Manager of Cultural Spaces for the Municipality of Meaford who will be retiring at the end of March. Although we will miss Susan, her leaving provides the opportunity for a new Manager to take her place.

In this position, the new manager will provide management, leadership, and promotion of activities to support arts and culture services in the Municipality, including Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre and the Meaford Museum.

The successful applicant should have a Diploma or Degree in Marketing or Business Administration or another related field. A minimum of 3 years of experience in a management/supervisory capacity, preferably in a theatre/performance venue environment would be an asset. Proven experience in marketing, programming, economic development, event planning, and fundraising would also be an asset for this role. 

To read the full job posting, you can visit our job board or you can see more opportunities from Meaford here. 

Applications are due by Monday, January 31, 2022

INDUSTRY NEWS & EVENTS

ThisGen Fellowship 2022

Statistic Canada's Invitation to Participate in Pilot Study on Everyday Well-being

Statistics Canada is now conducting the Pilot Study on Everyday Well-being, in collaboration with Canada Council for the Arts and Canadian Heritage. The survey will run from January 10 to March 31, 2022. This project will use a new mobile-phone application called Vitali-T-Stat to test a new way of collecting data.

This invitation is to anyone over the age of 15 to participate. We encourage you to complete the survey and share among your networks as participation is important to our sector.

This pilot study asks Canadians in-the-moment questions about their activities and feelings. The goal is to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence well-being, particularly arts and culture activities, which are the main focus of this pilot. These data could be used to better understand the factors that can promote emotional and mental resilience, which could result in the development of programs and services that improve the quality of life of all Canadians.

Download the app to get started!
Visit Google Play or App Store, search for Vitali-T-Stat by Statistics Canada and download the app onto your mobile device (Android or Apple).

Mental Health Resources & Activities from our Friends at TPM

• The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line
• Talk4Healing
• Anishnawbe Health
• Métis Nation of Ontarios (MNO) Healing and Wellness Branch
• Native Child and Family Services of Ontario
• Native Canadian Centre of Toronto - Contact Mandy Mack at mandy.mack@ncct.on.ca

• LGBT Youth Line
• Friends of Ruby
• The 519
• Healing in Colour

• Gerstein Centre
• Family Services Ontario
• The Griffin Centre
• Stella's Place

Professional Development Events with Mass Culture

Futures of Arts Work: Shaping Strong Governance Workshop

Participants will select a breakout room dedicated to one of the three subject areas detailed in the worksheet: Mandatory Requirements, Duty of Care, or Strong Organizational Oversight. Guided by a knowledgeable facilitator, participants will have the opportunity to discuss a specific worksheet section, suggest edits, and share resources that could also guide others who are interested in shaping strong governance for their organizations.

Registration is required for this event.
January 17, 1 pm Eastern

Play-Go-Round: Digital Infrastructure in Rural and Northern Communities

Mass Culture, in partnership with Gros Morne Summer Music, is proud to host their second of three Play-Go-Round events with speakers Todd Hennessey, Holly Cunningham, and Michael Mooney. They will be discussing their ideas emerging out of the question: How do we build capacity for digital artistic practices for creatives who reside in rural and northern areas throughout Canada? 

Registration is required for this event.
January 19, 1 pm Eastern

Gamifying Your Strategic Planning Process

In summer 2021, Mass Culture hosted a series of sessions with its governing body to inform its strategic plan. They experimented by gamifying the process and, upon several requests from participants, They've decided to turn this process inside out and share it with all of you!

Registration, including a fee, is required for this event.
February 3, 1 pm Eastern