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Unpacking the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund (CPAWRF)
Uncover all of the free and paid learning opportunities, supported by the Department of Canadian Heritage, as well as the four emergency support funds offered to artists in the performance sector.
So many free or PAID learning opportunities to take advantage of before March 31st!
Here at Generator, we love learning!
In October, the Department of Canadian Heritage announced 59 new projects for self-employed cultural workers in the live-performing sector (under the umbrella name Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund or CPAWRF). This program is the second half of the multi-million dollar investment in the pandemic recovery for the performing arts sector. Before we dive into some of the programs available now, we want to make sure you know about the Emergency Support programs that were launched this past summer.
The Emergency Support Program opened four (4) funds. For performing arts workers in Quebec, the fund is managed by La Fondation des artistes, and the remaining three (3) funds are for the rest of Canada. The Reactivation Program (managed by the AFC), the Resilience Fund (for dancers, managed by Canadian Dance Assembly) and the Live Music Workers Fund (for musicians, managed by Unison) are each offering $2,500 in direct financial support to help restore and reactivate your work. Note you can only apply to one of these four (4) funds.
In particular, the Reactivation Program is for folks who are underemployed OR have more than enough work right now BUT incurred debt or drew down savings during the pandemic - we are sure this is you! You must be able to show that you worked in the performing arts within the past 5 years. For more information about eligibility, head over here.
Now, back to the 59 new projects, we have compiled a database (which is growing as programs are launched) to make it easy for you to find out what is out there. Now go and learn for a fee or for free!
*Note all programs are offered in English and French. This database will focus on opportunities focused on a national and/or Ontario constituency.
If we are missing a program or you would like a program entry changed, please email kristina@generatorto.com.
A Guide to Preparing Your Taxes After Receiving a Grant
There are many theories on how to deal with your grant when it comes to tax time, not all of which are helpful. The most important thing to remember is that grants awarded to individual artists are taxable income to the recipient.
Receiving a grant is usually considered a great event; an occasion to break out the champagne and reward yourself, a moment to reflect that a group of your peers deemed you worthy and part of the community. Grants keep art afloat in Canada, and should be a cause for celebration. Until it’s time to do your taxes, and then the world seems to fall apart and you curse the day you received that $7,000 from the Canada Council for the Arts.
There are many theories on how to deal with your grant when it comes to tax time, not all of which are helpful. The most important thing to remember is that grants awarded to individual artists are taxable income to the recipient. A T4A is issued to the recipient and reported to the Canada Revenue agency (CRA), who will expect that income to be reported.
Government Grants and Their Tax Treatments: A Guide to Preparing Your Taxes After Receiving a Grant was created by Tova Epp, with graphic design by Kinnon Elliott.