News and updates on the COVID-19 pandemic are coming fast. As the Folk and other arts communities come together during this crisis, we hope that you’re keeping safe and informed.

Ontario has called a state of emergency, which has implications for each of our individual, organizational, and festival members. Without the ability to convene, many of us are without income. We have gathered some links and information that hopefully will be helpful during this difficult time.

Please note that although the FMO office is closed, we are working from home. Feel free to reach out to us for questions/help at office@folkmusicontario.ca. Phone calls will be more difficult to check during this time. We will be sending out more information via email, as wlel as through our facebook, instagram, and twitter accounts.

General

Info. on federal COVID-19 Emergency Response Package
General updates – Government of Canada
Crestview Strategies: COVID-10 Data Room
General information – World Health Organization
Information on mass gatherings – Government of Canada
Info. on Ontario state of Emergency and restrictions – Gov. of Ontario
Info. on Canada-U.S. border closure – CBC.ca
Airline cancellation policies – Collected by Forbes

Funding Programs

Info. On Ontario Arts Council Funding
Info. on Canadian Heritage Funding
Info. on Canada Council Funding
Info. on Factor
Info. on funding and event cancellation from Toronto Arts Council

Other Music Organizations

Live-streamed concerts from empty venues: URGNT TRNTO

Info from the Canadian Live Music Association

Bandzoogle blog – How musicians can ask fans for support during the coronavirus pandemic

CAPACOA is asking you to track cancellations affecting the Canadian live performance sector here.

I Lost My Gig Canada is a support group on Facebook for folks from various disciplines in the Gig Economy to gather, listen, and share.

Music Managers Forum Canada has an incredibly thorough resource page that is being constantly updated here.

Toronto Musicians Association has information and resources for financial assistance and bill payment relief here.

Unison Benevolent Fund has information about how they can help here, or you can call 1-855-986-4766 for inquiries to help you deal with the financial or emotional impact of coronavirus.

Worldwide Independent Network has a list of resources for the indie music community across the work here.

Stay safe out there, folk friends!

To our members, community, and friends:

Following recommendations from public health officials, Folk Music Ontario staff will be closing the office and working from home until further notice. The Health and safety of our staff and our communities is a priority.

During this time, we will be checking email, but will have less access to voicemail. We will continue to work to ensure that each of our members is helped and taken care of. We ask that you please be patient with any delays in response.

Please note that member-only registrations for the 2020 Conference in September are still open, as are showcase applications, award applications, and hotel reservations. If you have any issues with these applications, simply send us a note to office@folkmusicontario.ca

The Unison Benevolent Fund has emergency relief assistance available for music professionals. For counseling inquiries to help you deal with the financial or emotional impact of COVID-19, please contact 1-855-986-4766. You can find info about their emergency financial assistance at www.unisonfund.ca.

Stay safe and healthy, folk friends.

The 34th annual conference will take place September 25 – 27, 2020, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 300 King Street, London, ON.

Visit the conference website now!

Now open:
Members-only early bird registration
Official/family showcases
Awards nominations
Hotel reservations

Please follow this link to download the app.

We also offer a web view of the app.

Click here to view the 2019 Conference Guide.

Presented by Folk Music Ontario, Folk Music Canada and Folk Alliance International, the 2019 Folk North Export Development Program assists folk musicians and businesses in accessing new markets in Canada, USA, UK and Australia and more markets by bringing more than 20 delegates (festival ADs, presenters, agents, music supervisors etc.) to the Folk Music Ontario conference.

Folk North delegates are matched with more than 50 participating artists for one-on-one meetings, mentoring and networking receptions. In addition to these closed events, Export Development Program delegates are available throughout the conference as they attend networking events and led panels focusing on export topics.

The following delegates took part in the 2019 Folk North Program:

More delegates still to be announced. Check the Folk North Program page for updates.

We are seeking volunteers for the 33rd annual Folk Music Ontario Conference taking place in Toronto from Sept 27-29. Every volunteer receives a complimentary conference registration in exchange for 12 hours of volunteering!

Deadline to apply: August 22 at 7:00 pm

Applications for Art Beat at the 2019 FMO Conference are now open! Art Beat is an opportunity for performers who are registered delegates at the annual Folk Music Ontario conference to reach out to the host community. Performers act as volunteers by donating intimate, acoustic one-hour performances in local schools, seniors’ residences and long term health-care facilities.

For more information and to apply, please visit:
https://www.folkmusicontario.ca/about-folk-music-ontario/art-beat-fmo-outreach/

The application period for private showcases at the 2019 FMO Conference has been extended until July 29th.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Folk Music Ontario is proud to join its allies in the music community in signing the Canadian Creative Industries Code of Conduct. 42 groups have signed on to the Code, acknowledging their responsibility to build safe, respectful workplaces, and committing to improving and implementing policies to keep the music community safe.

Music community groups who have not yet signed the Code are encouraged to join. More information and instructions to sign on are available here.