Updates City of Toronto Mandating Stricter Restrictions – Transitioning into Red Zone of Ontario’s COVID-19 Response Framework as of November 14th: The new protections would come into effect at 12:01 a.m. this Saturday and include: Social gatherings should only be with those you live with and/or one or two essential supports...

Ontario is investing $2 million over two years through its new Inclusive Community Grants program to strengthen communities and provide local opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities. Municipalities and local organizations can use the funding towards projects such as: undertaking local needs assessments to determine gaps in...

Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, issued the following statement regarding the monthly employment release by Statistics Canada: “Employment in Ontario has increased by 30,600 in October, marking the fifth straight month of overall employment gains. The total number of jobs created since June is 868,600,...

TORONTO — In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, local medical officers of health, and other health experts, the province intends to move Ontario’s public health unit regions to the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. The framework categorizes public health regions into five levels: Green-Prevent, Yellow-Protect, Orange-Restrict,...

Virtual Viewing of Budget with Minister of Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, Lisa MacLeod – November 5th, 2020 at 4:00pm EST Full Budget and Action Plan please see link here https://budget.ontario.ca/2020/pdf/2020-ontario-budget-en.pdf  Today, Finance Minister Rod Phillips released Ontario’s Action Plan: Protect, Support, Recover — the next phase of...

This event was a collaboration between Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG / AOGA) & AAMC Foundation. For this Curator Conversation, London-based curator and writer Shaheen Merali presented a keynote “Institutions — Remnants, Reborn, Resettled”. Merali discussed ways to move beyond intentions to re-evaluate our collective role and if...

In these continuing uncertain times, we are at a crossroads as the impact of the pandemic continues to have a debilitating effect on the broader Arts and Culture sector. Ontario Association of Art Galleries representing the interest of Visual Arts & Public Art Gallery sector is part of a...

The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced new actions to help Canadian businesses grow while navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the global marketplace. The Government of Canada launched the CanExport SMEs program—delivered through the Trade Commissioner Service—in 2016. As...

In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, the Ontario government has developed the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. It ensures that public health measures are targeted, incremental and responsive to help limit the spread of COVID-19, while keeping schools and businesses open, maintaining health...

The government is taking targeted action to support Canadians and Canadian businesses, non-profits and charities that continue to face uncertainty and economic challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, introduced Bill C-9, An Act to Amend the Income Tax Act...

Curators can help us understand why artists make the work they do, and they make sure we see it in context. They grab on to new ideas in the culture and let us see art in a way we’ve never seen it before.  See full article HERE...

Architect, urban designer, educator, theorist and author Moshe Safdie is world-renowned for many reasons, was a guest on this past weekend’s episode of CBC Arts: Exhibitionists, which focused on the art of architecture and design. The host Amanda Parris sat down with Safdie via Zoom, and the above video is an extended version of...

 The Ontario government is helping to promote economic growth and create more than 10,000 jobs by speeding up the development of Durham Live – a major tourist and entertainment destination located in the Durham Region. Today, a Minister’s Zoning Order was made at the request of the City of...

TORONTO — The Ontario government will release its 2020 Budget on Thursday, November 5, 2020. It will focus on protecting the health and safety of the people during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing much-needed supports to families, workers, and employers, and laying the foundation for future growth, renewal and economic...

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The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade, announced an investment of $12 million in the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund, across different sectors and industries with grants of up to $5,000. The grant would cover the costs of personal protective equipment, make physical modifications...

The Ontario Government has added York Region to the City of Ottawa, City of Toronto and Region of Peel, as areas with higher community spread of COVID-19. For full list of restrictions see link HERE For Provincial Press Release click HERE...

Library and Archives Canada announced the launch of the 2021–2022 funding cycle for its Documentary Heritage Communities Program (DHCP). Eligible archival centres and other memory institutions can now apply for a portion of the $1.5 million that will be allocated in 2021–2022. Check your project and organization’s eligibility and have...

CURATOR CONVERSATIONS:“INSTITUTIONS – REMNANTS, REBORN, RESETTLED” An Ontario Association of Art Galleries (OAAG / AOGA) special event presented in partnership with the Association of Art Museum Curators (AAMC) Tuesday, October 27 at 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM ET The event will be filled with networking and conversation on contemporary...

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New federal rent relief subsidy + CEWS and CEBA announcements Last week, the Government announced a new suite of targeted financial supports for businesses and sector organizations. The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy program will replace the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) and will allow organizations to receive rent...

Effective 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 10, a number of new measures will be implemented in Toronto, Peel Region and Ottawa for a period of at least 28 days. Businesses that must close include: Performing arts centres and venues Spectator areas in racing venues Interactive exhibits or exhibits with a high...

Ontario is investing $9 million through the new Reconnect Festival and Event Program to support municipalities and event organizers during COVID-19. This funding will be used to maintain public safety requirements and allow people to reconnect with their communities through online, drive-through and other innovative experiences.Funding may be used for...

Parliamentary Secretary Kate Young announces $500,000 to strengthen the tourism sector in Prince Edward County and help the industry maintain jobs. With this support, Prince Edward County, in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce, will provide non-repayable contributions of up to $20,000 to local tourism-oriented businesses. The funds...

Toronto’s going totally virtual. Other cities are sticking with IRL events. Either way, it’s a gamble. (via CBC Arts)...

October 2nd, 2020 at 1:00 pm EDT “My intention today is to bring everyone together as quickly as possible to respond to questions and concerns about the state of Ontario. Given the second wave of COVID-19 Premier Ford is announcing certain restrictions to contain and prevent the spread of...

Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is supporting Indigenous communities as they seek to preserve and make accessible their existing audio and video heritage for future generations. Through its Listen, Hear Our Voices (LHOV) initiative, LAC is providing up to $60,000 per project to eligible First Nations, Inuit and Métis...

Join us October 19th for our OAAG/AOGA Member Monday Meet-up! Our Member Monday Meet-ups are an opportunity for OAAG/AOGA members to check-in with one another and discuss the challenges they are currently facing during the COVID-19 crisis. These meetings will not only offer peer-discussed solutions, but will be a...