Through the Foundation’s Gift, the Fund expands its help to include Visual Artists as well as Writers
Saskatoon, April 8, 2020 – The Access Copyright Foundation (ACF) is proud to announce it has stepped forward with a $100,000 donation to ensure the important financial support offered by the Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund can continue.
The funding provides a much-needed boost as the first round of applications ends on April 9. It will expand eligibility in the second round, which opens on April 10 and closes on April 20, to visual artists in addition to writers. The Fund is an initiative of the Writers’ Trust of Canada, The Writers’ Union of Canada and RBC.
“The initial response to the Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund has shown that there is an overwhelming need to support writers and visual artists who are suffering substantial income losses during this time. I welcome others to join the Foundation in contributing to the Fund so that it can provide assistance to as many members of Canada’s creative community as possible who need it,” said Katherine Lawrence, chair of ACF.
The ACF donation brings the total amount of the emergency relief fund to $250,000 with professional writers eligible for the entire fund and visual artists eligible to access a portion of the funding supplied by ACF.
“Access Copyright Foundation’s donation to the Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund means that more writers, and visual artists as well, can apply for and receive critical assistance,” said Charlie Foran, executive director of the Writers’ Trust of Canada. “The Foundation’s gift extends our resources and keeps the momentum going so that the Fund can provide ongoing relief during this public health crisis.”
The Fund provides grants of $1,500 to those who meet the eligibility criteria, which includes matching minimal publishing thresholds in the last five years as well as detailing a total loss of income that exceeds the grant amount. The first grants through the Fund are to be distributed within a week of April 9.
Applications to the program can be made at writerstrust.com/ReliefFund.
To make a donation to the Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund, please visit writerstrust.com/covid19.
The ACF is currently accepting applications for Professional Development Grants. All Canadian writers, visual artists and publishers, as well as organizations that represent them, that seek to learn, gain exposure and acquire new skills are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is May 1. To learn more, please visit acfoundation.ca.
About Access Copyright Foundation
Access Copyright Foundation promotes and supports Canadian culture by providing grants intended to encourage the development and dissemination of publishable Canadian works. The Foundation endeavours to make a modest but important contribution to the Canadian cultural community, while also broadening public awareness of the creative vitality of Canadian writers, visual artists and publishers.
Contact:
Brian Henderson, Co-Chair, ACF
brihen1@gmail.com
Margaret Reynolds, Co-Chair, ACF
megjreynolds@gmail.com
For general media inquiries about the Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund:
Contact:
Charlie Foran, Executive Director, Writers’ Trust of Canada
cforan@writerstrust.com
John Degen, Executive Director, The Writers’ Union of Canada
jdegen@writersunion.ca