Musicians Take Note: The Toronto Arts Foundation and Toronto Arts Council launched their TOArtist Covid-19 Response Fund yesterday which is an emergency support program that will help Toronto artists who have lost income as a result of COVID-19 arts cancellations. Major donors and partners have generously kick-started the campaign with collective contributions to date of over $500,000 – enough to provide grants for more than 500 artists. Every additional dollar will increase the number of artists supported.

Qualifying artists will each receive up to $1,000 and can apply until April 30th through a simplified online application portal. The first grants will go out by mid-April.Applications at www.torontoartscouncil.org/grant-programs/toartist-covid-response-fund

Ontario Presents is making their conferencing service available free of charge to any Ontario-based artist, agent, presenter, or other arts presenting industry professional who has a need to host an online or phone meeting and does not have the means to do so. If you are interested in using this service to host a meeting, please contact natalie@ontariopresents.ca

Folk Awards: The 2020 Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMAs) are moving their Awards celebration online this year, and will present all 20 Awards virtually, on Saturday, April 4 at 7pm EST via their facebook page and website. The Awards were originally scheduled for the weekend of April 3-4 in Charlottetown, PEI, however, it is now cancelled due to COVID-19.

Blues Foundation Announcement: Blues Foundation President & CEO, Barbara Newman, has made the decision to retire and will leave her position with The Blues Foundation effective September 30, 2020.Board Chairman Michael Freeman writes, “our Executive Committee and Board of Directors are now hard at work to determine next steps to find her replacement. She has offered full support to board leadership to assist with a search and transition plan, and I am confident that she will give her all to ensure the success of our next leader.

Please be assured that the current plans to produce a virtual Blues Music Awards show are proceeding on schedule, and Barbara will continue at the helm to ensure that this premier Blues Foundation event is planned and executed with her usual attention to detail.” www.blues.org