Resources for Craft Organizations and Individuals in the Craft Community in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mar 18, 2020 | CNB News, Community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Resources for Craft Organizations and Individuals in the Craft Community in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

March 18, 2020 – Craft NB, Craft Alliance Atlantic and our craft industry partners in Atlantic Canada are working to advocate to both the federal and provincial governments on behalf of the craft community in response to the current COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 crisis has hit Atlantic Canada and has created the need for emergency measures to be implemented; from the closure of craft organizations, craft shops, craft centres, galleries and exhibitions, as well as markets and trade shows.

Through the implementation of social distancing and work-from-home policies, restrictions on large gatherings to the outright cancellation of events, it has impacted our community in a number of ways. While we realize the importance of protecting the public with these necessary steps and support their application, we also see the devastating impact to the craft industry and anticipate significant losses as a result, with the approaching spring and summer tourism season. In short, we recognize the impact of COVID-19 may have long-term effects on the sustainability of the industry as a whole.

We are advocating for there to be financial support from all levels of government for craft makers in Atlantic Canada to provide some level of security to assist in managing the unprecedented loss of revenue due to the pandemic. There must also be consideration for funding to assist with recovery from this economic disaster to stimulate and revitalize the sector once society begins to return to normal. Our partners at Craft Alliance have created two “loss of revenue” templates to assist craft producers and organizations, along with retail shops and galleries, in identifying actual and expected losses due to COVID-19. Please see the links below. You can download the templates to help you identify your individual situation.

Download the Loss of Revenues Document – Individual Craftspeople & Artists (Excel File)

Download the Loss of Revenues Document – Craft Councils, Retail Craft Shops & Galleries (Excel File)

Craft NB, Craft Alliance Atlantic, along with the other provincial crafts councils of Atlantic Canada are asking individuals to fill out these forms with estimates of potential losses in the upcoming months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Completed estimates should be forwarded to info@craftalliance.ca so that together we can compile accurate data on the impact of COVID-19 and relay that information to the provincial and federal governments. In addition to this, the Canada Council for the Arts has advised all artists to document their loss of revenues due to COVID-19 on an ongoing basis, so we strongly suggest using these sheets as a means of tracking financial losses as the situation progresses. On an individual level, this will also assist you in making claims for support from any Federal or Provincial Government aid that may be rolled out to help offset economic impacts to craft businesses. 

“You are not alone. You may be feeling isolated, anxious and fearful, but it is not time to panic. It is time to prepare and act. There are resources to support you, and people who want to help. We are stronger together”.

– Tanya Priske, Executive Director – Centre for Women in Business, Halifax, NS

Connect with the Craft Community

Craft NB, Craft Alliance and our partners continue to offer business advice by email or phone, (by appointment). You can reach out to us and other business development agencies, if you are unsure how to manage. Support is there for:

  • sorting through COVID-19 resources to support you and your business 
  • talk through your unique business situation
  • determine a plan for what’s next
  • Complete an Expected Loss Statement to be included in our Loss of Revenues Profile of the craft sector in Atlantic Canada.

Support within the Craft Community

Craft NB wants to know how you think we can support each other during this time. We’d love for you to share with us:

  • What’s one way that you’re responding to COVID-19 that you’re proud of?
  • What’s an innovative way you think craft businesses can respond to COVID-19?
  • What’s one piece of advice you would give during this time?
  • What resource would you find the most helpful during COVID-19?
  • What’s one way you’re practicing self-care as a business owner?
  • Are you hosting any live events online? Sales? What innovative technologies are you using that you’d like to share with the community? 

Email and let us know, and we’ll share with the wider community through social media.

The next few weeks and months will be challenging, there’s no doubt. There’s also no doubt that we will get through this together.

Resources:

For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19 and preventative measures, please visit your provincial health or COVID-19 response websites:

Employment Insurance information for Canadians whose employment status is affected by COVID-19: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html

*Please note the special EI hotline for people affected by Coronavirus is only for those with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis or who are under government-imposed quarantine. If you call this line and eventually reach an agent, you will be asked to go online and apply for EI benefits via the standard channels. Please read the directives on this web page carefully.

Canada Council for the Arts / Conseil des arts du Canada – English / Anglais, French / Français 

Arts Nova Scotia – English / Anglais

Arts NB – English / Anglais, French / Français

Arts NL – English / Anglais

Arts PEI – English / Anglais, French / Français

Acadian Association of Professional Artists of New Brunswick (AAAPNB) / Association acadienne des artistes professionnels du Nouveau-Brunswick (AAAPNB) – French / Français

Centre for Women in Business –  English / Anglais, French / Français

ACOA – English / Anglais, French / Français

Government of Canada / Gouvernement du Canada – English / Anglais, French / Français