Photo: 
New guidelines have been released to ensure artists are paid appropriately during the COVID-19 crisis. The recommendations from Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC) include how to proceed if an artist was scheduled to give a talk that was cancelled; if a presenting institution is closed with artwork installed; if a gallery wishes to extend the dates of an installed exhibition that was forced to close early; if an artist has a contract for a future exhibition but production is not yet complete; and if artwork is reproduced digitally. (CARFAC)
On April 17, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $500 million for Heritage Canada “to support those who work in the arts, culture and sport sector”; further details have not yet been released. (Global News)
Canada Council for the Arts and CBC/Radio-Canada’s new Digital Originals initiative offers $5,000 “micro-innovation grants” to “develop, create and share new or adapted work for digital dissemination…during the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Canada Council release)
That funding followed an April 13 Canada Council finding that 39 per cent of artists and arts organizations would not be helped by existing federal-government support for COVID-19. (Canada Council, Globe and Mail)
It also followed an Ontario Association of Art Galleries statement that roughly half of art-service organizations are struggling, and that many galleries have no way to put content online. (OAAG, Globe and Mail)
The Montreal art fair Papier is going virtual this year, in part by launching an augmented-reality app; this change comes after the fair initially shifted its dates from late April to June. (Papier)
Aileen Burns and Johan Lundh will join Remai Modern in Saskatoon later this year as co-executive director and CEO. (Remai Modern)
The Rozsa Foundation in Calgary is offering $400,000 to local arts groups in need. (Galleries West)
