Update: On March 28, the NAC announced that the #CanadaPerforms relief fund has increased to $600,000 after receiving donations from Slaight Music, RBC Foundation and SiriusXM Canada. Online performances scheduled until May are now eligible.
~
The National Arts Centre (NAC) announced today that, in partnership with Facebook Canada, they will be accepting applications for grants from a relief fund totalling $100,000 that will pay Canadian artists for their online performances scheduled until March 31.
This comes in the wake of performance cancellations across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is not only to help ease the financial burden of producing a show but also to keep artists and audiences connected while social distancing measures are in place.
“Music, dance and theatre have an enduring power to comfort, to inspire, to lift our spirits. Equally, performers thrive on their relationship with audiences. In this challenging time, artist and audience, indeed all of us, need each other more than ever. The National Arts Centre, in partnership with Facebook, hopes this initiative helps,” said Christopher Deacon, president and CEO of the National Arts Centre, in the company’s statement.
The NAC will also share the selected performances on their Facebook page, which will host the online series called #CanadaPerforms.
The series started today with an online performance by the musicians Jim Cuddy, Devin Cuddy, Sam Polley and Colin Cripps. Confirmed performances include Serena Ryder, William Prince, Irish Mythen, Erin Costelo and Whitehorse.
To be eligible, a performance must include ten people or less and be between forty-five and sixty minutes long. The NAC is asking applicants to send their name, a description of the performance, when it will take place and on what platform to CanadaPerforms@nac-cna.ca. More details can be found on the NAC website.
Tagged: Uncategorized, Various, All
