resources for artists and makers
inspiration + information about the arts
social + mental health supports
arts-related resources
ArtBridges/ToilesDesArts: a hub and forum for anyone interested or active in community-engaged arts and arts for social change in Canada. Be sure to check out their resources page to toolkits & templates.
Canadian Actors’ Equity Association: a national association representing almost 6,000 artists working in theatre, opera and dance from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Equity's membership includes performers, directors, choreographers, fight directors and stage managers engaging in live performances in English Canada.
CARFAC Ontario; an artist-driven association working for artists and their rights – economic, social, political, social, health and safety. NEW: CARFAC has put together an ODSP and Arts Grants 101 document.
Media Arts Network of Ontario (MANO-RAMO)
ODSP Action Coalition: a province-wide coalition of community disability agencies, provincial organizations, anti-poverty groups, legal clinics and people with disabilities on ODSP. Their brochure (available in English and French) explains the exemption for arts grants received by people on ODSP, discusses other forms of income that artists may receive, and gives tips on dealing with possible problems.
(NEW) Studio 216: equipment and software available for (free) use at Brodie Street Library for a number of uses such as podcasting, blogging, audio/video producing: https://www.tbpl.ca/studio
local galleries
art appreciation & exhibition spaces
*note: many places are now open or in the process of reopening!
Coffee Shops & Eateries
Bay Village Coffee
Calico Coffee House
In Common
inspiration
AG @ Home Free activity pages, mini zines and DIY videos made by Thunder Bay Art Gallery staff members, interns and co-op students
Art from A Distance: consuming and creating art in Canada
Be Kind Project: artful prompts offered by Betty Carpick, Public Programming Coordinator with the Thunder Bay Art Gallery
Canadian plays or productions you can watch or listen to.
CBC Gem is free to stream at home, watch Hot Docs@Home
Google Arts and Culture: online collections from international museums and galleries.
Learn Photography Skills (for a fee)
National Arts Centre: Canada Performs Facebook page sharing live performances, also found on their website.
National Gallery of Canada: Youtube Channel.
online book launches
Open Culture: free online workshops, ebooks, audio books, movies, colouring books, etc.
Project Gutenberg: 60, 000 free eBooks with expired copyright (aka they are old literary works)
The Social Distancing Festival: celebrating art from all over the world.
Thunder Bay Public Library: offers online content such as eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, repair manuals, language courses & more! Available on their app or downloaded onto your PC. They also have an activities page.
Watch Animals Live Stream: you can draw them too!
Watch films from the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)
social + mental health supports and resources
Alpha Court Adult Mental Health and Addiction Services: The Day Centre is currently closed, as well as their walk-in clinic. They are now offering a “call-in” or “virtual” support option. On call workers are available between 1-4pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Individuals can leave a message at (807) 683-8200, and staff will call you back during on-call hours. Visit their website for a comprehensive list of mental health and addiction resources.
BounceBack Ontario: a free, guided self-help program with telephone coaching, workbooks and access to videos to help overcome mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, feeling low, , worried, irritable or angry.
Canadian Drug Policy Coalition: advice for people who use substances (with illustrations) during Covid-19.
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thunder Bay: 24/7 Crisis Response Line is available for youth and adults who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Thunder Bay: 807-346-8282 District / Toll-Free: 1-888-269-3100 Northwest Region: 1-866-888-8988. Their Crisis Response Mobile Unit and Crisis Support Residence are currently suspended due to Covid-19, though should be up and running again soon (worth a call to find out). They continue to welcome new members.
Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU): family members of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) can access Ontario’s Family Information Liaison Unit for confidential, culturally responsive, trauma-informed and victim-centred assistance. Families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls can access FILU services regardless of their participation in the federal inquiry. Staff are Indigenous community members and Liaison Units are located in Sudbury, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay and Toronto. Thunder Bay FILU: (807) 624-1879. If you do not live near FILU, call the team lead toll free: 1 (844)888-8610.
Health and human services: 211 Ontario North Community Information Database
LGBTQ resources: a categorized list
Talk4Healing: a helpline to talk, text, or chat for Indigenous women. Service is offered in English, Cree, Ojibwe and OjiCree. Talk4Healing Help Line: 1-855-554-HEAL. Crisis Line: Toll-free: 1-888-200-9997, Thunder Bay: 807-346-HELP (4357). Talk 4 Healing is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is operated by Beendigen in partnership with the Ontario Native Women’s Association. The website offers a way to browse the site without leaving tracks on the computer. There is also an ‘escape button’ to leave the page in a hurry.
Ten Percent Happier, Coronovirus Sanity Guide (Free), podcast, guided meditations, etc.
The Big White Wall: an online, anonymous, peer-to-peer support community.
NEW : Free mental health counselling and support is now available daily across the city and District! A number of Mental Health agencies have come together to offer FREE talk/text/walk-in counselling services and supports. The eight participating agencies are:
Alpha Court
Canadian Mental Health Association
Catholic Family Development Centre
Children’s Centre Thunder Bay
Dilico Anishinabek Family Care
North of Superior Counselling Programs
Our Kids Count
Thunder Bay Counselling
More info, including a downloadable services calendar: https://www.tbaycounselling.com/eight-agencies-tackle-urgent-mental-health-needs/
NEW: ConnexOntario; This online system navigation and information service can:
Provide information about counselling services and supports in your community
Listen, offer support and provide strategies to help you meet your goals
Provide basic education about mental health, drug, alcohol, and problem gambling treatment services
covid-19: information & resources
Visit the Thunder Bay District Health Unit’s website for up-to-date regional statistics along with Mental Health resources; including free online exercises.
Current Situation in Ontario – Public Health Ontario
Travel Advice - Health Canada
“How To” - Public Resources (wear a mask, self monitor, etc.) from Public Health Ontario
Government Updates on COVID-19: www.Canada.ca/coronaviru www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus
Government of Ontario: financial and mental health Supports for People
Learn about face coverings and how to properly wear, fit, remove and clean your non-medical face mask: https://www.ontario.ca/page/face-coverings-and-face-masks
[NEW] Connect to an on-call doctor by video or audio during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ontario Virtual Care Clinic is available from 8 a.m. to midnight for non-urgent health concerns. If you have an urgent concern or emergency, call 911. French language services are available between 4pm and 8pm 7 days a week. https://www.seethedoctor.ca/en/
Northwestern Ontario Women’s Centre has compiled a Covid-19 Survival Guide which they update regularly. Book an appointment to use their NEW COMPUTER SPACE (available 9:30am - 5pm Monday -Thursday): navigator@nwowc.org | (807)935-8042.
CMHA Thunder Bay has a directory of several local, regional, provincial and national resources.
Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000. For medical advice, a free, confidential service. A Registered Nurse will take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Covid 19 and Substance Use, harm reduction, online supports and resources.
The Black Legal Action Centre: resources and emergency measures
[NEW] Help stop the spread of COVID-19; how to self-isolate and how to care for someone with COVID-19: https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-stop-spread#section-0
for artists and makers working during covid
AFC Emergency Financial Assistance, supporting entertainment professionals working in TV, film, music, theatre and dance.
ALAS has prepared a number of resources and articles containing legal information that may be helpful to you depending on your situation.
Canada Council: Support for the Arts Sector, impact on their programs and activities.
Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses
Covid Help Centre for Impacted Arts Professionals - Canada Emergency Student Benefit, CERB, etc.
Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers and tip-based workers
Help for artists and freelancers working in Canada, CBC. Funding, Advocacy, Resources.
I Lost My Gig .ca - survey (they also have a Facebook Group)
List of Gallery Closures across Canada
Ontario Arts Council (OAC) Resource List and Updates.
Painted Turtle Art Shop is offering contactless curbside and delivery service. Send them an email and they will do their best to meet your needs. info@paintedturtleart.com
Recommended practices for paying artists during the covid-19 crisis
Thunder Bay District Health Unit has also compiled information for Businesses and Workplaces, and resources for mental wellness for employees.
The Chamber of Commerce have been circulating surveys to local business and providing updates .
Unison - counselling and emergency relief services for the Canadian music community, including financial assistance.
WorkinCulture programs, job board, resources, research and discovery board for creatives and individuals working in arts, culture, libraries, and heritage.
