COVID-19

COVID-19 IMPACTS ON ARTSNB PROGRAMS, INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES 

artsnb office and operations 

Updated on April 13th, 2021 – artsnb  is aware that grant applicants and recipients may be impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Although the staff split their time between home and the office, our physical office remains closed to the general public. However, our operations continue as normal, given that they can be carried out online. 

As always, we are available to answer any questions or inquiries you may have. Please contact us by phone or email.  

For general inquiries: 
Operations Manager 
info@artsnb.ca 
506-444-4444 

For questions concerning grant programs: 
Program Officer 
prog@artsnb.ca 
506-440-0037 

UPDATES REGARDING THE RELAXATION OF CRITERIA OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Updated on April 13, 2021 – Given that travel restrictions differ within the province’s regions, nationally and internationally, and that people travelling into New Brunswick are required to self-isolate for 14 days unless exempt, grant applications (projects) submitted to artsnb in all programs are allowed, with the following caveats: 

  • Recipients must contact the Program Officer if their event is suspended, postponed, or cancelled. 
  • Relaxation of the criteria for the other two components, Professional Development and Professionalization & Promotion, are still in effect. This is to make allowance for the current working conditions imposed by the pandemic and to take advantage of online training opportunities. Currently, eligible projects can include: 

Please note that in response to the current pandemic and although the Arts by Invitation and Artist in Residence components of the Career Development are open, proposed projects must respect the travel restrictions in their home region and province, and at their destination.  Moreover, relaxation of the criteria for some of the Career Development Program components are still in effect. This is to make allowance for the current working conditions imposed by the pandemic and to take advantage of online training opportunities:

Arts by Invitation Component (*NEW*):

  • Freight and shipping expenses are currently eligible, even if you cannot attend in person the performance, screening or exhibition of your work at an established arts festival, competition or art show, provided that the event takes place more than 150km away from your residence.

Professional Development Component:

  • To help you adapt your artistic practice to the new realities of self-isolation, social distancing, and web-based communications, expenses related to online training are currently eligible, and;
  • Online training and short-term studies: you may now apply before having been accepted by the institution or private instructor. Please contact artsnb Program Officer before submitting your application, some instructions will be provided.

Professionalization and Promotion Component:

  • Eligible expenses include Web-related expenses for up to one year are currently eligible, including web hosting, domain name registration, subscription for videoconference services, etc.

Note that the upcoming Career Development deadline is officially May 1st, though since it falls on a Saturday, applications will be received until Monday May 3rd, 2021.  Applicants planning to apply to this program are strongly encouraged to contact the Program Officer early with any questions they might have. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

  1. Q: I currently have an artsnb grant that is being affected by the pandemic. What should I do?  
    A: Grant recipients whose funded projects are currently being affected can contact our Program Officer to discuss project changes and ask any questions they may have: prog@artsnb.ca 506-440-0037.
  1. Q: I have submitted an application that has not yet been assessed and part of the project has been impacted by a cancellation or has been postponed. What should I do?  
    A: Recent applicants whose application has not been assessed yet are invited to contact our Program Officer if the project you have applied for has been postponed or cancelled, in case your application needs to be withdrawn.   
       
  1. Q: I am thinking of applying to an upcoming artsnb program, can I contact a staff member to discuss my project beforehand?  
    A: Yes, you are welcome to contact our Program Officer if you have any questions regarding project timelines or other concerns. We also encourage applicants considering applying for upcoming deadlines to keep the current situation in mind. Moreover, we hold Speed Consulting sessions via zoom every 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from 2 to 4. In these virtual face-to-face consultations with our Program Officer, you can get the answer to all your questions. The dates are posted on our website and on our social media pages. 
     
  1. Q: I have received a project grant from artsnb. What happens if my artsnb-funded travel, event or activity must be postponed, changed or cancelled due to COVID-19? Will I be required to repay the grant?   
    A: artsnb recognizes that with the extraordinary and unforeseen nature of COVID-19, some activities or events will have to be cancelled or will no longer be able to take place. Please email our Program Officer to inform us about a project’s cancellation, or to propose changes to the timing, location or format of your project. We may be able to approve extensions to your project timeline and/or modifications to your project plans.   
      
    artsnb will allow you to retain the funds to be applied to other eligible expenses related to the project, including costs related to modifying, postponing or cancelling activities. If you are not able to spend all the funds on eligible expenses, you will be required to repay those funds. artsnb cannot unfortunately allow you to spend those funds on activities unrelated to the approved project.   
      
    We invite you to document the impact of COVID-19 and how you propose to use those funds in your final report.  

*More information will be published here as the present situation continues to evolve.  

Other Relevant Information and Resources for NB Artists  

Updated on April 13, 2021 

  • The Government of Canada offers the Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB) to eligible individuals. The CRB gives income support to employed and self-employed individuals who are directly affected by COVID-19 and are not entitled to Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. The CRB is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Application are now open (since October 12). Visit this link for more information.
  • The Canada Council for the Arts has published information regarding the potential impact of the outbreak of COVID-19 on grant applicants and recipients. Artists who have received a grant from CCA and wish to know more on this topic are invited to read this page as well as consult the FAQ section on the CCA’s web site. The Canada Council for the Arts has also announced additional founding to it’s Explore and Create Program and a new digital initiative called Digital Now. Visit this page to learn more.
  • The Department of Canadian Heritage is receiving $40 million in new funding to stimulate short-term contracting of workers in the live events sector through three Canadian Heritage programs. Visit this page for more information on these programs.