Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Cultural Relaunch
(COVID-19)

Measures to help artists, writers and organizations weather the crisis

With the release of the Cultural Sector Economic Recovery Plan, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ) is announcing the implementation of four new measures for artists, writers and cultural organizations.

The forms are available at the links below and the submission of projects is now possible. Please note that the submission of projects for the Digital exploration and deployment measure for artists will be closed at 5 p.m. on Septembre 14, 2020 in order to stay within the allocated budgets. Regarding the two ad hoc measures for organizations, they were closed last August 3, 2020.

Until normal creation, production and dissemination activities can resume, self-employment revenue has evaporated and resources are more limited than ever. As a result, we would like artists and arts organizations, despite the cancellation of most of their activities, to be able to continue to create and connect with their audiences during the transition period, with access to financial aid to do so.
– Anne-Marie Jean, President and CEO, CALQ

1. Call for projects: Recherche, creation et préproduction

To help maintain artistic productions of high quality when cultural activities return to normal, the CALQ is issuing a call for projects to creation and production organizations in the performing arts and multidisciplinary arts.

The ad hoc financial support will enable organizations to work intensively on their projects and carry out all the steps leading up to the presentation of a show, from research to rehearsals.

With this assistance, the CALQ aims to give organizations that are not receiving mission support the means to pursue their creative endeavours and advance their projects.

For whom
Creation and production organizations that create, produce and present performances on an ad hoc basis in circus arts, multidisciplinary arts, dance, music and theatre.

Deadline
An application may be submitted at any point before the start of the project.

Examples of projects
  • Research and writing.
  • Creation of a mise en scène, choreography, etc.
  • Design and fabrication (set design, sound design, lighting design, costumes, set construction, etc.)
  • Workshopping and rehearsals.
  • Creation of a musical work.
  • Creation residencies.

SUBMIT A PROJECT (French only)

2. Support to performing arts presentation organizations

To enable organizations to explore different methods of disseminating works to the public against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CALQ is introducing temporary financial support for ad hoc initiatives to present live shows that respect social distancing measures. Submitted projects must respect the limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings set by the Direction générale de la santé publique.

In a context that is particularly difficult for the performing arts, this measure is designed to offer flexible support that reflects the current reality of organizations. Whether for creating an artistic circuit or presenting an outdoor show or public reading, non-traditional forms of showcasing performing arts are to be explored, and the CALQ would like organizations to receive appropriate financial support.

*Please note that this specific measure is no longer available since August 3, 2020. It was closed in order to stay within the allocated budgets.

For whom
Organizations (creation and production organizations, presenters, events and service organizations) in performing arts, multidisciplinary arts, literature and storytelling.

Deadline
An application may be submitted at any point before the start of the project, until August 3.

Examples of projects
  • Presentation of shows to limited audiences, in parks, facing balconies of residential buildings, co-properties or seniors’ homes, in alleys, in streets transformed into terraces, in a location that accommodates cars, or shopping centre parking lots.
  • Shows that make their way through the streets.

SUBMIT A PROJECT (French only)

3. Enhancement of the grant program and temporary expansion of eligibility criteria

Funding for artists, writers and independent curators has also been increased. These amounts will make it possible to support more grant recipients.

On February, the CALQ announced a review of its grant program for artists to better contribute to the development of careers in the arts, particularly those of artist-entrepreneurs. Relaxed eligibility conditions, expansion of the types of activities supported and adjustment of the maximum amounts were among the changes made. CALQ grants, structured into nine sections, can therefore fund professional development, post-production, composition and writing activities.

New

Temporary eligibility of final-year students in post-secondary institutions offering specialized art programs who can submit an application without having participated in a professional production outside of their training.

Emerging humorists are also eligible for certain components (pilot project) : Research and Exploration, Creation and Professional Development.

For whom
Professional artists, writers and independent curators (recognized in the fields of visual arts, arts and crafts, architectural research and digital arts as well as film and video art), final-year student in post-secondary institutions specializing in art and emerging humorists.

Deadline
An application may be submitted at any point before the start of the project.

Examples of projects
  • Research and exploration prior to the realization of a new work.
  • Adaptation of works to a new medium.
  • Creation and recording of scenic music.
  • Writing a work of fiction, literary performances, essays or screenplays.

SEE GRANTS

4. Digital exploration and deployment

We would like to help provide more support for digital initiatives by making the Digital Exploration and Deployment program available at any time. Projects selected could receive funding of up to $100,000.

Projects submitted may make it possible, in part, to increase the amount of Québec content online and its dissemination, optimize the discoverability of this content, and accelerate the appropriation of digital technology by artistic organizations and artists.

The purpose of this change to the program is to encourage artists, writers and arts and literary organizations to use digital technology to its full potential and to ensure they receive fair compensation for their artistic performances.

*Please note that the submission of projects for the Digital exploration and deployment measure for artists will be closed at 5 p.m. on Septembre 14, 2020, in order to stay within the allocated budgets. This measure is no longer available for organizations since August 3, 2020.

For whom
Artists, writers and organizations in all disciplines.

Deadline
Submission of projects for artists will remain possible until 5 p.m. on September 14, 2020. Submission of projects for organizations ended last August 3.

Examples of projects
  • Adaptation of existing works for digital dissemination according to good practices.
  • Production of podcasts.
  • Innovative, lasting digital dissemination projects.

ARTISTS: SUBMIT A PROJECT

ORGANIZATIONS: SUBMIT A PROJECT

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