Equity is pleased to announce that the Association is the recipient of funding for two activities under the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund (CPAWRF) provided by Canadian Heritage as part of its 2022-2023 budget.
CPAWRF funding is intended to provide specific programs and services that increase the career resiliency of independent and self-employed "gig" workers (including non-permanent employees) working in the live performance sector. These grants are the second of two streams of funding, the first of which was previously announced and is now distributing direct personal financial assistance to this same cohort.
"All people who work in the performing arts had a very difficult time over the last two-and-a-half years, and many still face an uncertain future. We welcome these monies, the first of which is earmarked for a short-term mental health & wellness counselling program, launching very soon. The second funded project will allow Equity to present an exciting slate of professional development and career-related skills development online webinars, this fall and again in the spring. Each session will feature a knowledgeable speaker or leader from within the live performance sector,” said Equity Executive Director, Arden R. Ryshpan. “We are now working with our colleagues at Canadian Heritage to make the most out of this timely and useful funding."
Equity will debut the Mental Health & Wellness program as soon as possible. Members will be notified of available services by personal email invitation. The first set of professional development webinars is planned to begin early this fall.
The Association encourages artists from all equity-deserving groups to access our Mental Health & Wellness program and to attend the online Webinars. Facilitating participation of historically under-represented communities in these and all of Equity’s activities is a fundamental commitment to Equity’s membership.
More on Projects receiving funding
Mental Health & Wellness
To meet the mental health challenges faced by the live performance industry post-COVID and every day, Equity will collaborate with LifeWorks, an internationally known and respected Employee Assistance Plan delivery company, to deliver Clinically Appropriate mental health services to Equity members and other "gig" workers working in Equity's jurisdiction. Assistance available will be short-term solution focused mental health counselling and support services, with no pre-defined limit of sessions and a flexible structure. We hope to launch this program as soon as possible.
Webinars and Video Recordings
Equity will present two seasons of online webinars and forums open to any artist working in live performance. Recordings will be on topics like financial literacy, self-taping and online audition techniques, anti-oppressive communication, as well as diversity, inclusion, equality and belonging. These sessions will be recorded and made available on Equity's website for artists unable to attend in person.
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Equity gratefully acknowledges the Government of Canada for the funding of these programs through the Department of Canadian Heritage, Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund (CPAWRF). / Equity tient à remercier le Gouvernement du Canada, qui a financé le Programme de réactivation par le biais de Patrimoine Canada et du Fonds pour la résilience des travailleurs du secteur des spectacles sur scène du Canada (FRTSSSC).
