Volume 9 - Issue 5

Friday, April 3, 2020
Hello

A MESSAGE FROM STAFF
 
Stay Connected with the Cultural Services Office
 
In an effort to communicate frequently during these times of change - our monthly newsletter will be increased to weekly and we will be sharing this with you every Friday.
 
We will focus on sharing:
  • digital arts & culture events you can attend from home;
  • lessons and educational resources to try at home; and,
  • resources for arts professionals and organizations.
 
PLEASE SHARE!
If you are receiving this email as a forward from a friend, please subscribe here:
You can also subscribe to receive emails from the St. Catharines Museum and our Calls to Artists newsletter.
 
STAY SOCIAL WITH US
Follow St. Catharines Culture on
 
SUBMIT CONTENT FOR CONSIDERATION
If you are a local artist or organization and you would like us to help get the word out about your upcoming events, programs or helpful resources please email us at culture@stcatharines.ca  to submit.
 
 
Update on City Facilities | Extended Closures
 
The closure of City of St. Catharines facilities to the general public has been extended until further notice. The proactive measure extends the closure beyond the original April 5 date to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure City staff can continue to safely deliver essential services to St. Catharines residents.
 
With the Province of Ontario ordering the closure of all outdoor recreational amenities, the City of St. Catharines will close all of its parks and beaches immediately (effective the announcement on April 2).

The newly announced closure of parks and beaches, including the City's dog parks, follows up on previous closures of playground equipment, skate parks and all City facilities to the public. In the coming days City crews will be working to close gates at parks and post signs informing the public of the closure.

These decisions follow the recommendations and guidance of regional, provincial and national public health authorities, and is focused on protecting the health and well-being of the community. "This is a necessary step as we continue to make every effort to ensure essential City services residents rely on are available," said Chief Administrative Officer Shelley Chemnitz. "We continue to monitor the situation and will adjust our operations as required to protect the health and safety of our employees, residents and greater community."
 
The City continues to list facility closure, service disruptions and cancellations, and other important updates on its website at www.stcatharines.ca/COVID19

SEEKING YOUR INPUT

 

Survey | Rodman Hall Art Centre

St. Catharines City Council requested the creation of the Rodman Hall Task Force  in 2019 to provide information and recommendations to Council regarding the City's role in the future of Brock University's Rodman Hall building and grounds, and the art collection that is housed in the facility.
 
The Task Force is seeking community input through a brief survey . Community input will be valuable as the task force endeavours to prepare a final report through the Cultural Sustainability Committee and then to Council with their findings.
The survey will close on Monday, April 13, at 4 p.m.


CALLS TO ARTISTS

CALL FOR VISUAL 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?" A rtists 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 .




CALL FOR PERFORMANCE ARTISTS
Essential Collective Theatre | Quarantine Cabaret

Annual Vaudeville fundraiser is coming directly (and safely) into your home.
They will be selecting video submissions throughout the month of April to showcase on YouTube channel and social media, culminating in a live-streaming event at the end of the month.

Looking For:
Singers, Dancers, Magicians, Clowns, Comedians, Burlesque, Melodramatic Readings, or Skits, Drag Queens & Kings, Jugglers, Puppetry, Novelty acts.

Acts should be 3-8 minutes long. For an authentic Vaudeville experience they will give preference to acts that reflect that era, so keep that in mind when it comes to material, style and music and costumes. That said, almost ANYTHING GOES!
Contact rebecca@ectheatre.ca for instructions.

NEWS & DIGITAL EVENTS

IN NIAGARA

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Announces Executive Director
The Board of Directors of the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is pleased to announce the appointment of Colleen Smith as the organization's new Executive Director. "It is an interesting time to begin a new role, however I am encouraged by the dedicated staff, board members, and community," said Smith. "The FirstOntario PAC has a bright future ahead of it and it will be because of the support of the community that we will come back from this stronger than ever."
Details: https://bit.ly/2X7qcy5


Live Performances | The TD Niagara Jazz Festival 
Friday, April 3, 7 to 8 pm |  Presents John Sherwood
Saturday, April 4, 7 to 8 pm | Presents the Shea D Duo with jazz, soul and pop duets
To view on Facebook Live, visit this page and set a reminder: https://www.facebook.com/jazzniagara/live_videos/


Live Performance | The Garden City Comedy Festival
Niagara's Top Comic - Quarantine Special
Friday April 3rd, 8pm
Join Zoom Meeting | 
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/892843770
Meeting ID: 892 843 770
 

Jarico Films | St. Catharines Film-makers launch new website/free viewing
2020 City of St. Catharines Arts Awards Emerging Artist Nominee Erica Sherwood along with business partner Jay Lupish are launching their new website and to celebrate, they are releasing, for a limited time, the Original Extended Cut of "FIGHT", the film they premiered in 2018, free of charge. You can also watch "A Kind Of Wonderful Thing" for free.


BEYOND NIAGARA

URGNT Live Toronto Concert Series
An ad hoc crowd-funded livestream series of concerts created in response to the COVID-19 outbreak featuring iconic Toronto artists in iconic Toronto venues.


The Social Distancing Festival
This is a site for celebrating art from all over the world, showcasing amazing talent, and coming together as a community at a time when we need it more than ever.

WAYS TO ENGAGE WITH ARTS & CULTURE ONLINE
The St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canals Centre
New | Launch of Museum Classroom
During the Museum closure, staff will be sharing ideas, activities, lesson plans, and more with you in their new virtual classroom. Updated regularly.
Museum Blog
- Learn about upcoming exhibitions, programs, events and activities
- Hear about interesting artifacts that are being catalogued
- Share your memories or experiences
- Learn about caring for historic objects
Museum Chat Live Podcasts
Also connect with the Museum on Facebook!


St. Catharines Public Library | Access to free digital resources


All Ages | Culture Days Digital Experiences
Their new "Digital Experiences" page is dedicated to all those art enthusiasts out there. Visit it to access live-streamed performances, virtual tours, and activities to keep the kiddos busy at home.

 
For Kids | Captain Underpants & More
"Dav Pilkey at Home" will feature new video content created by Autor and Illustrator Pilkey himself on Friday mornings at 8 a.m. ET beginning April 3.

 
Weekly Arts Roundup | CBC Arts
CBC Arts has your weekly guide to all the things Canadian artists are doing to help us pass the time at home

   
Online Art Therapy | If You Were Here Now
"If You Were Here Now" is a series of online art therapy sessions. Live and instructional videos of artists doing projects that they find to be therapeutic, using simple tools they have around the house.

 
Virtual Tours | Canadian Art Galleries
See virtual art tours, gallery spaces, shows and more from the comfort of your own home.
Details: http://ow.ly/95gm50z1Cbd 


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

UPDATES FROM ARTS & CULTURE FUNDERS
Government of Canada | Canada's COVID-19 Economic Response Plan  
Including information on the Canada Emergency Response Benefit ($2,000 a month for up to 4 months) and Employment Insurance.

 
Temporary Wage Subsidy for Employers increased to 75%, non-profits are eligible!
 

Government of Ontario | Ontario's Action Plan: Responding to COVID-19 

 
Department of Canadian Heritage
Information for Canadian Heritage grants and contributions recipients


Canada Council for the Arts 
Important Information related to COVID-19 


Ontario Arts Council | Latest Updates on COVID
Ontario Arts Council extends Application Deadlines
OAC has extended all April and May project program deadlines by two weeks so that artists and arts professionals whose lives and work are impacted by COVID-19 will have extra time to develop their applications.


St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program
For details on upcoming funding programs visit www.stcatharines.ca/SCCIP

RESOURCES
FOR ARTS ORGANIZATIONS & CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS

Government of Ontario | Announces New Annual General Meeting Regulations 
The Government of Ontario announced support for business corporations, not-for-profit corporations, insurers, and share capital social clubs by implementing an Emergency Order to provide flexibility for corporate meetings. This emergency order applies to not-for-profit corporations incorporated under the Ontario Corporations Act (CA) and gives them the ability to hold virtual meetings; as well as extends the timeframe for AGMs to be held. The Emergency Order is in effect province-wide and is retroactive to March 17, 2020, the day the Declaration of Emergency came into effect.


Resources for Artists and Freelancers | Compiled by CBC Arts


Webinar | Social Media for Small Business
Presented by Digital Main Street Niagara
Weekly sessions and past webinar notes available.


Resources | Interrupting Bias and Racism
Suitcase In Point Theatre Company has compiled a list of ways to interrupt bias/fight COVID-19-related racism.


Digital Engagement |  Webinar Resource | Zoom
https://www.zoom.us/
Nonprofits can apply for a discount to Zoom subscription through TechSoup Canada. 


The Ontario Association of Art Galleries
Digital Engagement | Connecting with Your Audience using Digital Tools
Ontario Association of Art Galleries has alsoput together a document with some useful resources, links, and tips for connecting with audiences digitally during this time.



The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT)

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.