Art-Based Financial Support

In this section, you will be able to locate numerous funds allocated for artists in various fields of art. Fundings range from emergency funds to grants and loans.

We invite you to go though them and find the one that best suits your needs. Any questions or concerns related to these funds must be redirected to the organization offering such funds.

For general questions you can get in touch with I2CRC team through our contacts page or email us at Info@I2CRC.org.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

Eligibility criteria for CERB have changed. It is now possible for applicants to earn up to $1,000 of employment income each month, and still qualify for CERB payments. In addition, royalty payments do not need to be included in the $1,000 maximum. Benefit is up to $2,000 per month for wage earners, as well as contract workers and self-employed individuals who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).

Of note for arts organizations: workers who are still employed, but are not receiving income because of disruptions to their work situation due to COVID-19, will also qualify for the CERB. This would help arts organizations keep their employees as they navigate these difficult times, while ensuring they preserve the ability to quickly resume operations as soon as it becomes possible.

Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)

CEWS provides a 75% wage subsidy to eligible employers, including not-for-profit organizations for up to 12 weeks, retroactive to March 15, 2020.

Toronto Arts Foundation

The Toronto Arts Foundation has launched a major response fund which will directly support individual artists who have lost income due to cancelled engagements. At this point they have $500,000 committed to the fund. Grants are intended to be emergency funding, and will be for $500 to $1000. For more information and to apply visit

https://torontoartsfoundation.org/home

Canadian Heritage

Canadian Heritage and its portfolio organizations play a vital role in the cultural, civic and economic life of Canadians. Arts, culture and heritage represent more than $56 billion in the Canadian economy and close to 655,000 jobs in sectors such as film and video, broadcasting, music, publishing, archives, performing arts, heritage institutions, festivals and celebrations.

Canada Council for the Arts

Offers support to artists through grants, advanced payments and emergency funds.

CBC Creative Relief Fund

In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, CBC has launched The CBC Creative Relief Fund to provide immediate, urgent support to Canadian creators. The unprecedented new Fund will provide $2 million in development and production funding for a diverse range of innovative, original Canadian storytelling, including scripted comedies and dramas, unscripted entertainment, kids and young adult programming, podcasts, play adaptations and short documentaries.

CBC and Canada Council for the Arts Digital Originals

A new $1 million fund to help artists, groups and arts organizations pivot their work to online audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Creators can apply for a maximum of $5000 in funding per project, a selection of which will be curated and digitally showcased by CBC/Radio-Canada.

Woodcock Fund Grant

This grant provides emergency funds for professional Canadian writers in mid-project.

The AFC

Provides emergency financial aid for entertainment professionals.

Unison

Provides financial aid for musicians.

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

Administered by Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto, this fund will help cover emergency aid and paid work for LGBTQ2S artists, performers and tip-based workers.

Canadian Low-Income Artist/Musician Relief Fund

A group fundraising to support a relief fund.

Behind the Scenes Basic Needs Grants

Provides financial assistance for seriously ill entertainment technology professionals in the U.S. and Canada.

Facebook-National Arts Centre Fund for Performing Artists

Accepting applications from artists who post a 45 to 60 minute online performance between today and March 31, 2020. Financial grants will be given out from a $100,000 relief fund.

The Photographer Fund

A $25,000 fund to help self-employed photographers facing hardship.

Canadian Cinema Worker Fund

Fundraiser to create a fund for cinema workers who will not be compensated by their employers for the foreseeable future.

GTA Black Community Emergency Support Fund

Artist-organized community fundraiser for Black people in the GTA, particularly those working in the gig economy.

Toronto Arts Council

To assist Toronto artists in dealing with the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, Toronto Arts Foundation and Toronto Arts Counci l 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.

Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund

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.

Music Together

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.

Ownr

A $25,000 fund to help support Canadian entrepreneurs with a grant of up to $1000 for each successful applicant.