The following are unedited, uncensored, unrated general comments (published in the order received, as of April 3, 2020 at 10 am) to the COVID-19 Impact Survey:
We will get through this, but remember your value and don’t give into the production pressure. If you feel pressured into feeling like you should be working on your art, give yourself a break and be kind.
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While the loss of forecasted income is terrible, the general uncertainty it’s put on every aspect of the business has been really challenging. The numbers I presented here don’t begin to reflect that amount of tours and shows that were in the planning stages and have now been completely put on hold.
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It is not the disruption we wanted in its form; but is the disruption we needed in its potential.
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In these dark times, it is notable that it is the arts that are helping people survive the sheltering. We must use this in our advocacy work when things are getting better. However, I believe that the live performing arts in particular have suffered such a loss that they may never return as we have known them.
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covid 19 has currently stripped me of at least 20% of my yearly income as of this date, if more cancellations continue, which I’m fully expecting, I am going to lose as much, or more, than 50% of what I make in a year, and as a low income earner, that is, without doubt, going to force me into poverty potentially ending my career, but most certainly altering its course forever.
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It has inspired some great art but will have devastating impacts on all economies.
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I hope the curve gets flattened soon.
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Thank you for this initiative!
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Thanks for putting together this survey
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The category of job was very confusing and hard to answer. I’m very much split down the middle in terms of gigs that employ me and freelance gigs where I’m just getting a cheque cut with no deduction. And this is where EI and CERB are failing me. I am ineligible because I still have a small amount of administrative work for gigs that are either cancelled and need wrap up, are postponed so some work needs to be done or gigs that are likely to be cancelled eventually (ie: a fringe festival)
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Thanks for putting this together. Some of these questions are difficult to answer as a musician who relies on work that isn’t planned a year or even months in advance. Sometimes my lowest and highest paying gigs get booked a week in advance. I’m not sure how this can be reflected in future surveys but I did my best to average this out. On paper, it looks like I have no future jobs cancelled or postponed (a few things that were booked in advance). But take the international jazz festivals for example, they book for their June-July festivals in April. That’s income I usually count on but now that this is happening, I won’t get booked and I won’t be able to say that I have a cancelled gig that counts towards my income. It’s a complicated matter!
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Could not answer many questions as this has really just begun- don’t know all the numbers
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It’s difficult to estimate lost income as a freelancer. I lost my job over a year ago and it hasn’t gotten better since. I’m floating on small design jobs and illustration. This past couple of months started great getting a new contract with a few design jobs, then corona virus put everything on hold or cancelled. I’m basing my numbers on the money being made at the time.
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I don’t know how much money I am losing. I know I can’t market myself in opportunities that are now cancelled and I can’t actually do any photo shoots currently. I just started working for a photo agency that would’ve upped my income significantly. I also had a chance to do a residency, a photography conference to attend, and meetings in NYC cancelled in April. I had to postpone a talk that may have led to more work. I was on a roll at the start of 2020 getting everything in order to make it this year after starting over in a new city 2.5 years ago. I am also on my city’s art advisory commission and the events that I was helping plan are in jeopardy. I was to participate in Arts Week exhibiting my work but it looks like that may be cancelled or scaled down significantly.
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To echo something that’s been pointed out in the Facebook group: This situation and its losses will cast a long shadow. For many arts and culture workers, it won’t be a matter of just heading back to the office once this is all over. We’ll need to rebuild relationships, re-book tours in a context of increased competition from promoters and artists with more financial resources and larger platforms, and re-sow seeds of projects, contracts, etc. that could take months to bear fruit. And needless to say, the people feeling this loss the most will be those already marginalized by institutions and government, who are already less able to access resources and networks in this sector. I really, really hope we emerge on the other side of this determined to build true equity and justice.
Thanks so much for putting this together.
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I make almost all of my sales by showing my artwork in person at art fairs, exhibitions, etc. One of my concerns is that even once official restrictions are lifted, people will probably not feel comfortable in crowded public spaces for quite a while. So even events that don’t actually get cancelled will potentially have far lower attendance and viewer engagement, which usually means lower sales. Maybe I’m worrying too much, but I honestly don’t foresee being able to make any income at all this year. While still having to pay for my studio (~$1100/month) and obviously living expenses. I won’t be able to afford to make any new work either, as my supply costs are relatively high.
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Jus wanted to say thank you to everyone involved in putting this initiative together. It’s really important.
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THANK YOU FOR THIS SURVEY. Being a professional artist who relies my art and gallery for only income I hope it relays the situation I am in.
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Total blow to the entire film/theatre/live comedy industries. Thousands of colleagues in the same boat.
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This is a very hard time as all my artshows, music shows, festivals have all been postponed or cancelled completely. Also major grants have been cancelled this year which was a major revenue for me. Very difficult time for artists, collectors are not purchasing at this time, no one is purchasing at this time.
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I have most of the symptoms of COVID 19. As a result of this I am self isolating and usually receive financial aid from my family. My family are much older and do not use online banking. Therefore I am relying on my friends to deliver groceries. A lot of my friends and colleagues are musicians or in a field relying on arts & culture grants. I have no resources. I am an internationally performing/touring artist as you can see from my website www.randomorder.ca/shows I am now rethinking if I will continue to fly as I was sick for 5 months in the summer/fall from an ear perforation and other ear issues as a result of flying. I may be limited in the future to places I can drive to as I def will not be taking a boat to tour europe anymore. This is the second huge health hit in one year for me. Also the Village BIA planned to reduce their shows in Barbara Hall Park which we were already not receiving a decent fee and now I highly doubt that that will even happen at this point. I think this situation may force me into early retirement. I also make a decent wage from performance royalties. No performance no royalties. My last release did well streaming in foreign markets it is a cover so the small streaming royalties are even smaller.
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The difficulty for me/ my work. With the cancellations what do I do? Everyone is booked for the next couple of years and I will be working on another project. So, I feel I have just lost the last five years. Thanks for putting this survey together I think if shared with CARFAC it will be a good indication of art related problem due to Corvid-19.
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THANK YOU FOR SHARING …
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I feel very fortunate that I’m able to work as the primary admin for CARFAC On, in spite of COVID-19. However seeing as how CARFAC On is dedicated to providing professional support and development for those working in the Visual Arts Sector. I worry that our already small staff, will be quickly overwhelmed with inquiries from our community in the coming months. It has become challenging to develop programming, fund raising and outreach initiatives as well – which was a major goal of ours for the 2020 fiscal year.
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Have lost all of my income to date however once restrictions are lifted gigs won’t appear and start immediately. Could take 6-12 months to regain the level of work I was previously at. Impacts will be longer lived in the gig industry than other business that are able to open their doors and sell goods/services the day restrictions are lifted.
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I am a self employed artist with average annual sales of $22,000.00US.
Unknown is whether a solo exhibition for June will go forward; sales are anticipated at $5,000.00US
Cancelled already are two teaching gigs for this spring, $1,000.00US
Unknown is an artist residency gig paying $2,000.00US which I’m shortlisted for.
Three Art Festivals are cancelled for the spring; anticipated sales are $2,500.00US each.
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I believe that if we use our skills, knowledge and creativity, resist the urge to scramble to “get ahead” of everyone else and/or “return to normal”, we can find innovative and revolutionary ways to re-think, re-visualize, re-form our roles as artists in our communities and in the world in a way that is not harmful and that promotes healing, attention to the environment, to equity, and to reconciliation.
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The craft sector in particular is regrettably accustomed to periods of low income. We will survive, though some older members of the community may drop out and retire. Our income will likely be quite low this year. As people return to normal life they will have less disposable income, and fine craft is often seen as an indulgence.
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I am scared sometimes to the point of tears and no one has the answers that will calm us down collectively. I am used to rejection and the grit of the industry but not when blown apart by a global pandemic, where the uncertainty is indefinite and the definite that I could rely on is no longer there.
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Thank you for doing this. It is good to get all the information we can to recover from this properly. Take care!
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Thanks for doing this!
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THank you for gathering this information! The live performance entertainment and sports industries were hit first, hardest and most long-term. We are in this together and we are all scared.
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So far, I have seen NO mention of what options are available for solo artists, who are incorporated and what our options are. To lose a full year of bookings threatens me personally, as well as my company – through which I often hire other Equity Members. I do not know who to speak to about this.
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The challenge with reporting lost income is that for many freelance artists, our projected income is largely unknown. I don’t know my real lost income because many of those potential future contracts have not even presented themselves. (And now most of them never will, so it’s difficult to estimate what has been theoretically lost.)
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This quiz does not account for the potential of future jobs. For example, in the film industry both on camera auditions and behind the scenes jobs are only created and obtained weeks before production. So although those jobs were not confirmed/obtained yet (and can’t be counted as lost), they represent a huge loss of potential income because the industry has completely shut down.
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I cannot accurately calculate the number of jobs lost. I can only base it on previous months income. My jobs generally only book 2-3 weeks in advance at the very most. Most jobs are booked 1-2 weeks in advance. I work for 7 different companies, that all do slightly different things. They are all performance or acting related.
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Thank you for gathering this information and helping us all to better understand the impact of this unforeseen circumstance.
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Thank you for arranging this. I know that the people will get through this. My concern is for our prior employers. We could (and will) start over if we have to rebuild, but oh what a shame.
Thanks again
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I have no idea how I’m going to be compensated by the new Government of Canada program since I don’t quality for EI.
I guess I’ll have to wait and see…
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Due to the fluctuating nature of the arts and culture industry it is almost impossible to estimate financial losses year to year, based on a previous years earnings. Moreover, the losses in career growth and opportunity can not be quantified. The general population needs a better understanding of how these industries operate and the catastrophic loss that a season of work can have on an individual’s earning and overall career potential.
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It’s not just the gigs that I lost, but the future gigs as auditions have stopped or been postponed so future work is not even available at this time.
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It’s a tough time for all of us, no matter what sector you’re in. Thanks for the survey, stay safe.
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Some of the question structures are a bit unclear, and I was unable to proceed until I’d unlocked the puzzle of how a multi-tiered question needed to be answered.
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I have not worked a day this year and see no possibility of work in the foreseeable future.
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Appreciate having a place to share the changes going on for artists in Canada with the intention of support and adapting to the transition time we are in.
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I appreciate that we (gig workers) are being asked for our input. We do handle unemployment well, but lost employment is devastating both financially and creatively.
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This is very scary. I am as worried about other people as about myself. Many are in even more precarious position than me right now. Cultural workers need help.
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thanks for this, it’s comforting to know there are people who are working hard to gather this information while we all sort out the next steps in this crisis every day.
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Just some food for consideration, as this seems to be absent from the collective conversation at present: I wonder if anyone is keeping track of the number of auditions that are being shifted, changed and/or cancelled. While this is not guaranteed work, there are many performers who are losing out on multiple chances for future work (short or long term) based on the simple fact that we can not get into the room to meet and work with the directors and producers face to face. A self tape or Zoom read is no substitute for the chance to be seen live, just as a recording of a play is not the same as seeing it in the flesh.
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I have been very fortunate to have been under a contract that protected my income. I feel deeply for those who work completely self-employed without the protections afforded by a union or association. I hope that the federal and provincial governments continue to support the institutions that provide income opportunities for artists. They are going to take a huge hit, some of them might not be able to recover. I am scared of what comes next.
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While I am proud to be Canadian, and proud of the federal government’s response to the crisis, Alberta’s provincial government needs to step up as well. However, neither the provinicial nor federal government’s response plans allow support for self-employed invidiuals who also receive additional income through another employer. There are no support in place for people like myself who are continuing to find work and make a very meager income – something that is marginal compared to our usual income, and thus insufficient to support ourselves. This needs to be addressed as many “gig-workers”, artists and other self-employed types have multiple income-streams to support ourselves. Everything has been affected, and we require the support.
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Thank you. I hope you can help us.
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My hope is that with the newfound clearance of perceptions, home, systems and environment; we all recognize what is truly important. It is a tabla rasa. A chance to redefine our values and approach life in a brand new way with a greater devotion to ourselves and our kids in terms of support and good health. This might include a greater appreciation for nature (our world), the arts, our fellow man, culture sets, historical values, social kindness/humanitarianism, philanthropy, and spiritualism. We need to mend/heal. Then prepare for the what-next with a wider set of eyes. Action steps vs. reaction. In our small town of Stratford, ON – our cultural industry that drives tourism has been very hard hit. This includes the theatre and music venues, B&Bs, retailers, and restaurants. Right on up to our world-class artists. We are rallying the troops, to strategize and buffer blows such as this rotten dilemma. To quote our MPP, “Nobody will be forgotten”. “No fear” here- but rather, “respect”….for life, and the power of the ‘thing’ itself that is wreaking so much havoc. Fear is the opposite of love – that one unifying entity that binds us. Terms like ‘fear’ and ‘scary’ negatively breed that consciousness. TIme to reprogram and thrive on!
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With the industry shut down, there is no prospect of a job for months – if the pandemic restrictions go on longer than expected, it could be a year or more
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The work I am most concerned about is my 5 month acting contract at Heritage Park. It may be delayed (shortening the contract), but it may be cancelled. If cancelled, the lost income number I reported would increase to a total of $10,000 (Between April and September 2020). Auditions I had been looking forward to for other contracts in 2020 have also been cancelled/postponed. I have also been laid off from my casual employment at a church. Luckily for me, I am not in a precarious predicament as I am also a student and living at home – so my loss has more to do with emotions than true financial risk. I know many of my artist friends are in worse situations; they may lose their homes. Thank you for researching and reporting on this area of our workforce!
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Sadly, my income will only be affected somewhat because my income as a self employed artist over 50 is already so low.
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Besides writing books, I’m also a filmmaker – I produced my first feature film last year, and it’s just about finished. I am at a loss as to what will happen with film festivals later this year – I am dependent on finding a distributor and sales agents both for domesticated international sales. 🙁
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This has been a devastating lost for myself and my colleagues.
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Thank you for bringing our worries to the attention of the government. I wish all TV, radio, newspapers, Netfilix etc and anything online could be stopped for 24 hours so that the public could truly see how the arts – and the self employed- impacts their lives.
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Sad there was no way to compensate the people who have made the commitment to take part in the production but instead slip the rug beneath them leaving us without any income coming in when at this time we were depending on it.
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The contract I lost was at the Stratford Festival. A 36 week contract at $1800/week. This was my income for the whole year. I am devastated by the loss of this work and the prospects in our business are very dire indeed.
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I know that many industries are hit hard through the COVID-19 crisis, especially Arts and Hospitality. I know there are many stories similar to mine and that many arts workers will be out of work for this summer and have to completely find new work and places to live. I hope that we can come together as a community to support one and other and support communities effected the most by this. I considered myself very lucky because of the support I have from my family but I know others are not as fortunate. I look forward to when we can all support the arts once this is all over.
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Thank you for organizing this site – it’s really helpful and encouraging.
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I work 3 jobs. 1 is fundraising and admin for a small arts organization which is still paying me the other 2 are theatre FOH (ushering) jobs. I feel you have not included in the survey the hundreds of people who work front of house for all the theatres now shut for the rest of this season and are now out of work. We are not necessarily artists (although many of us are as well) but theatres couldn’t run without us and we are totally without work not something we can do from home or by zoom video! Also these jobs are mainly low wage with no benefits and we get laid off every summer so never work enough hours for EI. I am worried I won’t qualify for any of the benefits being offered because of my situation.
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Actors usually work job to job. What this survey does not include is the loss of audition or submission opportunities. If we cannot audition for work, we cannot get work, and we cannot earn anything. I can only try to estimate what my earning losses might be, based on averages of past years. In addition, if one works more under ACTRA contracts, one’s costs for supplemental health insurance the following year is reduced. But if one cannot work, one’s costs go up. There is no place in these surveys to address either of those financial concerns.
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I am worried that because I am still making a small amount teaching online, a fraction of my regular income, I might not be eligible for CERB. I could theoretically cancel the few students that are able to take online lessons, as well as quit my job as a contract teacher at a local music school that has gone online, but this would hurt my career in the long run.
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Thank you for compiling data. We will need it later.
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The staggering loss of income for all artists, both as performers and creators, but also as gig economy workers who supplement income with side gigs is staggering. Ironically, while the world is self-isolating in quarantine, we turn to music, literature, film, television and all other creative media to occupy our minds, soothe our anxiety, and find joy and inspiration during such uncertain times.
It’s about time to introduce a universal basic income so that creative folks are finally provided the security they need to create the beautiful art that makes the world a better place.
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Thank you for doing this.
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There are several live performance gigs that I would have expected this spring that have not been confirmed, so are not officially recorded here. I only included March activities. I would also expect commercial/tv bookings, but those opportunities have completely disappeared as the industry has largely shut down.
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Nous étions en pleine organisation d’un événement qui devait avoir lieu en octobre 2020. Étant donné que tout est l’arrêt, la tenue de cet événement est impossible compte tenu du fait que l’événement risque de ne pas être soutenu adéquatement dans la conjoncture actuelle. Le climat est beaucoup trop incertain pour tenir un nouvel événement.
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I have an exhibition that is hung and in lick down. I have had 2 exhibitions cancelled for the month of May.
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It would be great if this information was used to advocate for the Arts beyond the impact of the Corona Pandemic. Thank you.
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Estimating your lost income when you can’t even audition for future projects is impossible to assess.
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In my field of work, there is already so much uncertainty and my income varies on a monthly if not weekly basis. For everything to be shutdown, including NHL, I am not only losing my promo/brand ambassador work at live events, I am also not teaching dance or auditioning for any tv/film or theatre projects. Thank you for advocating on my behalf.
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A not entirely useful survey at this time, as the financial and career impacts won’t really be known for months.
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Thanks for doing this. The whole thing is just about overwhelming.
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Thank you for this survey and for this FB group.
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I’ve based my projected loss of income on average sales from the last few years. I’m also a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto. When I’ve indicated part-time employment in a non-arts sector, even though I teach in the art department this is the part-time job that I have. I’ve been teaching this semester, but due to my Sessional status I won’t know until August if I’ll be teaching again in September. Sales of my art work make up a majority of my yearly income.
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in the survey, I only included my seasonal self-employed arts work. I do, however, also have a full time job in the arts. Unfortunately, I could not find a way to communicate that in the survey. While I have lost self-employed work from the end of March through to the middle of May, I am currently still employed at my full time day job in arts administration…for the time being…
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This pandemic is highlighting how valuable the arts are to society, yet the arts are the first things to be cut when government and school budgets are developed. The arts are necessary for a functioning society.
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I am a retired person with a pension for which I am deeply grateful. But I want my small loss (2 workshops cancelled) to be part of the record. I think we have to make the art and the craft communities in BC (and the whole country) stronger so that we can advocate more effectively for this sector.
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With self-isolation happening I am unable to go to the studio and produce my work. Without any work I have nothing to sell.
The toll on my mental health has been huge.
It’s all too much to bare.
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Wow, it is incredibly difficult to define my entire income profile as it includes 1. provincial disability benefits, 2. part-time employment within the arts sector as well as 3. non arts sector, 4. year long pert-time self-employment within the arts sector as an independent contractor, and 5. seasonal self-employment in the non arts sector as a small business owner. Wherein my 6. creative arts making for the past couple of hears have been on the financial backburner while I develop new work.
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It is difficult to estimate the loss because I was just starting to make contacts and apply to fairs and galleries. As everyone is aware everything has come to a standstill. One show was cancelled in middle of the show.
One exhibition date setting was cancelled.
One exhibition for fall is uncertain.
Sending work to a gallery has been halted.
Various group exhibitions I participate in are uncertain.
Any others I would have started to apply are all stopped for now so it is difficult to actually estimate the loss.
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I was anticipating to be laid off from a maternity leave arts admin position in April before this, but now the plans I had lined up for after that are in chaos. I will be ok for a month or two hopefully until CERB kicks in, but I know most of my artist friends are not so lucky.
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Thanks for compiling. Consider a chart or table to assist arts workers in understanding which benefits they should be applying for.
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This has been a difficult time for artists. The ability to attend sales are being shut down one after another as time goes on. We have no way if knowing if any are going to go forward. As everyone is tightening their belts, one of the first places to go is money towards the arts. Also the catch 22 is I have more time to work on my craft as we are holed up at home, but am being very careful with the amount of money I’m spending on supplies. And since I live in a remote area actually managing to get supplies shipped is almost impossible. It also makes you think twice before you even apply to to go shows later in the year, with the looming fear that your fees may not be able to be reimbursed if the show is cancelled. Every one of these shows have losses incurred when they have to cancel.
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The obvious – the longer COVID-19 is an issue, the more we will see businesses that do support creatives folding. Without people being able to work and purchase what they provide, the less they need to provide it, the less we can provide to the business, and the more we are without work… it’s not a promising cycle.
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A lot is still unknown at the moment, but I’ve shared what I could.
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This is a very scary time for all of us involved in the creative arts. The long term impact is yet to be seen. I’m trying to stay confident that my postponed gig with Neptune Theatre in Halifax will still make it to rehearsals and the stage, but who knows. I appreciate any and all efforts you and other groups are taking to help us at this crazy time. Thanks!
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Good survey, but hard to estimate real loss, as I sub in many groups, and often get called for other “gigs” as needed. My estimated loss is only based on contracted work. Real loss is probably higher.
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I wasn’t able to reflect well in this survey the income I’ve lost from working as a union background actor. When the pandemic hit, I was earning an average of 500$/ week and the season was projected to get busier soon. I’ve lost that income completely until the time that productions resume.
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Please don’t use the term ‘musicians and singers’ – we are all musicians! (If you must distinguish, better to say instrumentalists and singers)
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Thank you for doing this. As an ex choir conductor and professional performer my heart goes out to the thousands of people whose work has been so adversely affected by these global events. It has been inspirational to see how the performing arts community has come together and shown up with creativity and hope.
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From April to end of June 2020, my income loss is quite uncertain. I am an opera performer who lost a gig of $4200 and my main income is teaching music classes privately. The impact of Covid on my private teaching is still unknown as not all students are interested in online classes and I don’t know when in-person classes can resume, plus some clients will no longer be in a financial position to have music lessons.
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Stay strong everyone! Be creative!
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My postponed/or cancelled event is community arts based and would give or would have given an interesting extra income to four professional musicians and two dance educators. If I receive a grant I applied for I will be able to go ahead with this event in November. If I dont receive the grant, it will be very difficult bc I dont foresee participants to be able to pay fees. I think it is important to consider all the network of relationships that are affected by this crisis. So it would be nice to have subsidies for pp to attend cultural events, grants for cultural promoters, in a broad and inclusive way. Thank you
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Lost income can’t be fully demonstrated because gigs aren’t being booked.
I can point to gigs booked long in advance that have cancelled, but this is not the full extent of the work that would have happened.
It is very important that this is understood by decision makers, and that self employed artists aren’t required to prove things.
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I am an emerging artist whose career was beginning to take off. Small steps … two group exhibitions … a little bit of press. Now both exhibitions are cancelled and work made specifically for these exhibitions will not be shown. Recoverable, but disappointing after spending a great deal of time and creative effort on the work. I am grateful that I set my life up so that I am not financially dependent on this work so my income will not suffer, but my spirit will. I am thinking of the many creative folks who have lost their incomes.
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Some of the questions were hard to answer. I could specify exactly what my financial losses are as a result of my contract termination from the termination date of my contract to the date that I filled out the survey. But I have no idea if my production will resume, what are the implications on our industry as a whole, what will happen to my investments and other opportunities as a result. This is a snowball. I can’t predict if I will have lost three or four months pay or if it will end up being 10.5+ months pay, and how that will set me (and others behind) in the way of producing, performing, creating, how that will impact our funding agencies and our audiences…no one can tell. No one can put a figure on this, and no one can put a date on it. If my contract is not reinstated after the government assistance has run out, this will be a very different survey and my answers will be completely different. I recommend once you have compiled your information, that you repeat this survey in a three or six month phase and compare the data.
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COVID-19 will impact me in a category not represented in this survey. I have relied for the past two years on picking up last-minute gigs within my industry. Because so many of these gigs have been cancelled, and all planning phases for future projects put on hold, I will never see actual numbers of the opportunities lost because they did not even EXIST before COVID. In fact, the scramble once the theatres re-open will be so intense I may be out of work until next January, if not longer.
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As an arts educator, it is the loss of job and finances that is very difficult right now, but, it is also l owing that the children who come to our classes are missing out so deeply. For some of them, ours is the safest and most supportive environment of their week. The need for this creative outlet is desperately missing in their lives and it is such a sadness knowing that many of them are literally going without any creative time right now. So our loss as an artistic community of educators extends much further than our own lives.
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All of the galleries that sell my work have closed, no one has bought artwork from my studio in 2 weeks, my solo exhibition currently on has ended 6 weeks early (in the key selling period) and all of my teaching opportunities have been cancelled.
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This is an unprecedented time, and I appreciate everyone on every level for how they are handling this. What is hard to document is loss of overtime and potential gigs, as so much of what I do depends on the contacts I make and timing. Having suffered a bereavement a few months ago, this crisis is all the more stressful financially and mentally – as a contract worker who has no control on whether I am hired as an employee or self-employed, who mainly provides entertainment and socialization for senior citizens in long term care, and as a main support for other family members in less regulated art fields like visual and creative arts. I’m constantly planning for a year ahead of me, but right now that is unfathomable.
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Please refrain from separating Musicians from Singers. This is a ridiculous ongoing battle. Singers ARE musicians!
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I have the feeling that my type of display on Sept. 26th is of a type not usually imagined when one thinks of Culture Days. It’s my hope that my creation will go a long way to change that.
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Thank you for giving me this opportunity to honour the moment.
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Through this I have also had to lay off 4 part time staff.
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Thank goodness I have my art to continue on day to day. The anxiety and stress, not to mention fear is palpable. As an artist I am resourceful to bring in income. At times I am living month to month and until recently I had no credit cards. I do what I do because I believe in it and driven to create art.
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I dont qualify for the government funding CERB to help artists and self employed because I teach at a fine arts school, very part time. I am very upset at this, that I am a loophole and wrote Justin Trudeau, probably a waste of time. You did not ask about grants. I have two grants that I will have to return the funds from even though I have put out money because the project (exhibitions) is not completed. I make most of my money through my artist fees, public gallery exhibitions, and grants. Another artist, and I know a few who qualify, with fewer exhibitions that makes just over 5000 a year will get funding and I won’t because I teach 8 hours a week at a school, even though I pay substantially more taxes than they would. It really sucks be to caught in the loop hole.
As a low income artist and artisan surviving solely from earnings from my arts, any lost of revenu is dramatic. As countless others, I live month to month and do not have the means to save for leaner days. Since absolutely every gig has been cancelled and all my retail locations are closed for the foreseeable future, I am left with zero income for months to come.
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My arts practice, both producing artwork, and teaching formerly produced enough income, in combination with my partial pension, to allow me to continue my arts practice. My work is featured in local, provincial, national and international collections. I have programmed arts events and classes, spoken at international ceramic events, taught at all levels including 5 years as a sessional instructor at Emily Carr University, and speaking at the International Ceramics conference in Wales. My work has been shown in galleries around the world, and was recently featured at Liberty of London, and commissioned by the Gardiner Museum shop. I now cannot afford to take risks in my practice, but produce only work which I know will provide income to cover the materials, utilities and Labor. This unforseen circumstance may end my practice as Calgary is a difficult job market for my age group, and I may not be able to afford materials and expenses incurred producing art.
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Vivre heure après heure!! Les sacrifices peut nous sortir du petrain plus vite…..!! Pis les crotez , bien- social et autres !,C nous autres qui va payerai le double de taxes et d impôt l’année prochaine!!!!!!
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Thank you for creating this survey. It is so appreciated.
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Thanks for doing this. I believe that it is very important to be together and help each other in order to pass this bad times.
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I am freelance, there is no easy quantifiable way to calculate the majority of my jobs which did not have contracts or quotes before being cancelled. All I can do is base my lost income on my actual income from 2019. I also earn income from multiple creative practices. I make the majority of my money from photography, but I also make sales of fine art and earn income through education. This survey does not fit my type of earnings situation which may be more common in the arts than other industries. The numbers I entered don’t align well because of the inability of me to reflect my diverse income streams.
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Manufacture of craft pottery all of my orders were cancelled due to gift shops being closed, I do this work part time. My other job is in daycare which are now closed. I do not expect to have any income until perhaps September, currently unknown.
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Generally feel the whole thing is a whitewash,based on very poor science,but with a great chance the ultra-rich will be feeding well when the stock market bottoms out and other juicy bits of business are sold at pennies to the dollar.
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A few clarifications: I am a glassblower, my lost income is from gallery closures, loss of customers, and cancellations/postponements of awards events for which I make awards, which is my largest income source in the Spring, reported here is what I have calculated compared to last year. Summer is my big retail season so if this carries on into July things will be much worse, cross that bridge if we get there? I reported my gross business income from last year, my overhead is about 60% of gross not counting payroll (about $32-3500/month before i get paid). Also, I was already noticing a slowdown in business at the start of the year due to the impacts of the Alberta budget released last Fall on organizations that I do work for (awards, board gifts)
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Thank you for creating this survey to gain a sense of the impact on artists during COVID-19.
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I feel very lucky to have gotten sick and gotten better. I wish my city was taking this more seriously. The impact will be negative for the poorest people in my community, and small businesses are already suffering.
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Great idea to put this together, ILMG!
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Every performance booked has been cancelled or indefinitely postponed for the foreseeable future. This impacts not only immediate income but also keeping my name active in the literary world, and also musical performance gigs.
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Never mind loss of income, we still have to pay rent and eat the supplies we purchased. I already operate at a financial limit, now I will have accrued significant debt for a studio that I cannot use because I am considered a non-essential service by my insurance provider and by the government. Nobody was able to plan ahead. I would not have purchased materials for a commission that has been cancelled now.
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Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.
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I was very disappointed that the survey did not ask my sexual orientation — I think this is a vital question when it come to diversity — Being Gay is a vital part of my identity and a vital part of my marginalized experience
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It is hard to calculate the amount of loss work – I included the concrete contracts that were canceled or had to be postponed so far but can not properly calculate the amount of work I WOULD have had if the covid-19 didn’t happen. I assume it would have been a similar amount as my income last year which means theoretically I am losing about 30,000$ of potential income by not being able to work as a photographer during this time.
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Although my income is not huge, it makes a big difference in my families situation. I have been very fortunate in the past to have a partner who earns much more than I do allowing me to pursue my passions. However the last several years in Alberta have resulted in many changes in our financial situation and my contribution has become very important to our survival. It is easy to say sell your assets, but homes are not selling and mortgages and tuition must still be paid. I have no intention of whining, I am extremely fortunate as we still have a roof over our heads and food in the pantry. My heart goes out to others who do not have this security in there lives.Many of us who make our living in the arts and culture section do not earn large amounts of money but usually provide that extra income that makes a difference in a family’s security.
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Data based on previous year estimates of volume of work and number of gigs. My income loss is total — the film industry is completely shut down. So, I’ve estimated by counting # of gigs & income from equivalent periods in 2019, and assumed I would otherwise manage similar numbers.
Counting cancellations or postponements isn’t an accurate way of estimating my losses, because my gigs are typically booked 2-4 weeks in advance, and typically last 1-5 days each. So, I’m not suffering from cancellations so much as clients simply not calling — the whole industry isn’t working.
In terms of actual cancellations, I think had two, totalling about $3,000 — i.e. the gigs I had booked in the upcoming 2-4 weeks as so March 15. Counting only those “actual” cancellations would grossly underestimate the effects on my career and income, so I’ve done my best to offer projected numbers instead. At the end of the day, it’s nearly impossible to count what’s not there.
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The event sector is not getting a lot of media time, with the Lion’s Share of bailouts and financial assistance being directed towards large industry, hospitality, and other so-called permanent jobs. BC has a mass of the Dead sector, with festivals, concerts, ethnic celebrations, and dozens and dozens of other large format Gatherings taking place throughout the spring and summer. The spin out of the economics is huge, impacting security firms, temporary fencing, portable toilets, not to mention audio-visual, staging, tenting and infrastructure companies, the list goes on and on and on. Across-the-board cancellations this season is going to take a significant toll on all of the support spin-out companies as well as us independent contractors.
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I was fired from a part time position in an arts retail gallery due to the stress that my employer was under during Covid-19. I will not be able to get another job in my field working for another goldsmith due to lack of opportunities in my field. Your survey does not seem to cover this kind of loss. I can’t sell my work because stores are closed. The economy is crashing; people will not be shopping for jewellery for a long time. Covid-19 will impact my sales for years. I have to set up a new studio and I can’t buy the supplies or tools I need to make work because stores that sell them are closed and may not survive the crisis. I will need a small business loan from a bank that I can’t go to because they are closed and I have no idea when I will be able to meet with my financial advisor next.
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I have a very hard time predicting these losses as I just started with Paquin/KOBA and was given many opportunities to freelance within the various facets of the company. I lost the first Tour Manager subcontract due to cancellation and it’s unknown how many of these productions were slotted for the coming year.
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the first question is extremely limiting and does not allow for an accurate answer. I am a contract worker in various aspects of the arts, holding jobs as all of the following in order to make a living: self-employed contractor, employee-status contractor, seasonal part-time (or sometimes full time) employee
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I’m worried about some of the musicians I represent. Some of them only work as musicians and now have no gigs.
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It’s a very difficult time for all people right now. Most Artisans don’t pay E.I. and don’t have lots of savings. Our income usually is seasonal. Summer tourists and Christmas sales etc. This is a slow time of year for us, with no income coming in and no future sales for months?
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It’s hard to know exactly how much I’m losing right now since my job isn’t steady. I have highs and lows and currently I have no work since all my clients have been made to close due to the pandemic.
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Thank you for doing this important work. I’m too heartbroken and too tired.
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I am worried that as someone self employed that I won’t qualify for any government relief programs. 90% of my income is through selling my work in galleries and teaching. 10% is from directly selling to customers. If I still can hustle that 10% (I was barely scraping by with my income as it was) I may be out of luck for assistance even though I am in need.
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It’s an interesting time. Disappointing to have shows cancelled but will hope for next year.
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I am deeply concerned that this year i will have no gig opportunities and though i am a highly skilled craftsperson with 15 years experience, my skills do not translate into other fields well and therefore i will be out of work with no income. I am trying to stay positive but it is a frightening position to be in.
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Couldn’t be accurate in employment have 2 part time arts jobs plus self employed arts job. I’m sure I’m not the only one working 3 jobs or more.
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Thank you for doing this. I know I am privileged/lucky in part because I am young and still living at home. I was finishing my Master’s in 2019 and then began working part-time, and just started a new full-time permanent job before this all started. I don’t know what position I’d be in if I wasn’t living at home, and if I hadn’t locked my current job down.
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All income is an estimation. Thank you for doing this. Artists tend to fall through the cracks as we can keep working whether we receive income or not, so we often don’t meet the same credentials as everyone else.
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This fucking sucks.
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