Hamilton Arts Council launches relief fund for artists during COVID-19 closures
The council will start an online performance series featuring Terra Lightfoot and others
The Hamilton Arts Council is launching a fund for the city's artists and debuting an online performance series as the novel coronavirus has crippled their ability to make money.
"In preparation for this initiative, HAC administered a survey to gauge the impact of this crisis on Hamilton's arts community, determining that the need is significant and urgent," reads a release from the council.
"The Hamilton Artist Relief Fund and Online Performance Series is focused on uniting our community through a curated online platform that commissions artists to present and perform while raising funds."
Artists can collect between $100 and $1,000 based on their needs and the funds will be distributed starting April 15.
To add more money into the fund, the council will host a live online video performance series with artists such as Terra Lightfoot.
Writers, dancers and other performers will also be included, all of whom will receive $250 each.
The video performances will air through Facebook Live and will be shared across social media platforms.
This follows efforts by CoBALT Connects to host its own virtual concerts.