The following information is intended for CRD Arts & Culture grant recipients and applicants. For updated information on the full Capital Regional District (CRD) response to COVID-19, please visit www.crd.bc.ca/covid.

• Arts & Culture Support Service COVID-19 Update (PDF)

The CRD Arts & Culture Support Service recognizes how incredibly challenging the current situation is for the arts and culture sector. We are witnessing the enormous impact COVID-19 is having on an industry that relies on audience attendance, convening artists and traveling in order to fulfill their mandates and make an income. We are also seeing a rise in creative responses that make bold steps towards resiliency with through alternative presentation formats that follow the directives of the Provincial Health Officer.

Our Operations

We continue to administer grant programs, however convening events and in-person information sessions are on hold.

The Arts & Culture Support Service is currently open by appointment only. Although some staff are working remotely, we are available to answer questions by phone or email Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm. If you have any further questions please contact us.

Event Planning

We recognize that the directive from the Provincial Health Officer to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic creates uncertainty for organizations planning arts initiatives, preparing funding applications and managing grants. We are requesting that:

• Organizations preparing applications program their events well in advance using presentation formats that follow directives from the Provincial Health Officer.
• Organizations with successful grant proposals that have significant changes or are planning to reschedule, are required to inform our office.

Operating Grants

We want to provide assurance that the Arts Commission and the Arts & Culture Support Service continue to support the sector and that Operating Grant funding will be released on the usual schedule. As usual, organizations can request an early payment (generally up to 50%) beginning April 1. Early payments are subject to a carrying charge through July 30. If you have not requested an early payment and your situation has changed please contact us. Organizations not requiring an early payment will receive full payment of their approved grant on August 1 as usual.

The CRD Arts & Culture Support Service is very concerned about the impact that COVID-19 is having on the arts and culture sector. We have been receiving messages about postponed events and cancelled seasons. We admire your proactive actions to implement social distancing and protect the community. These are incredibly challenging times for artists and organizations relying on ticket sales.

We would like to hear from you.

• Please send us a description via email of how your arts and cultural organization or project has been impacted by COVID-19 circumstances.

Other Arts & Culture Impact Surveys

• Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance Impact Survey BC arts workers, artists, cultural organizations, and museums are encouraged to fill out GVPTA's survey to share data about how COVID-19 has impacted our sector. Take the survey
• Creative BC – COVID Impacts Assessment Survey BC-based creative and cultural industries and workers. Take the survey
• Indigenous Arts & Culture Impacts Survey Indigenous artists and cultural practitioners. Take the survey.
• I Lost My Gig / CARFAC - COVID-19 Impact Survey Arts, culture, and tourism workers survey of economic impacts on arts, culture, tourism, heritage, and creative industries workers in Canada. Take the survey

• BC Alliance for Arts + Culture has prepared a list of resources related to COVID-19 for artists and arts and culture workers. Find it here >>.
• Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) The Government of Canada has introduced the CERB. This taxable benefit would provide $2,000 a month for up to four months for workers who lose their income as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more >>
• Canada Council for the Arts Current information and FAQs on the Council’s approach to supporting artists and arts organizations by addressing the shortfalls that arts organizations are experiencing since the cancellation of public events and halting of arts programming. Learn more >>
• BC Arts Council: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the BC Arts Council list updates to policies and programs help address the impacts of COVID-19 that support sustainability of arts and culture organizations and to support the continuation of projects and activities. Learn more >>
• Vancouver Foundation Community Response Fund: Essential relief to charities in BC that provide health and social services and arts, culture, and community benefits that have been impacted by COVID-19 and its economic consequences. Learn more >>
• Other Sources of Funding A list of other arts funding opportunities is available. Learn more >>

Local Arts & Culture Initiatives Find ways to experience art from a distance offered by organizations funded by the CRD. Get the list (PDF). Find arts activities for families, youth & children while maintaining physical distancing. Get the list (PDF)

LandMarks Public Art Take a tour of public art in the capital region with the LandMarks public art map. Discover over 170 public artworks online by searching for art by location, artist or discipline. Discover public art.

YYJ Arts United Find online and livestream content from greater Victoria’s diverse arts community with the general public. Created by UVic’s Faculty of Fine Arts. Posts include theatre, music, dance, film, opera, literary arts, visual arts, performance art, museum exhibitions and more. Find art.

Culture Online Visit museums, view live music, watch dance and explore science centres, from across British Columbia, all from the comfort of your home. Created by Arts BC and the BC Museums Association. Visit culture online.