Hamilton Arts Council launches relief fund for artists during COVID-19 closures

TheHamilton Arts Council is launching a fund for the city's artists and debuting an online performance seriesas the novel coronavirus has crippled their ability to make money.

"In preparation for this initiative, HAC administered a survey to gauge the impact of this crisis on Hamilton's arts community, determining that the need is significant and urgent," reads a release from the council.

"The Hamilton Artist Relief Fund and Online Performance Series is focused on uniting our community through a curated online platform that commissions artists to present and perform while raising funds."

Artists can collect between $100 and $1,000 based on their needs and thefunds will be distributedstarting April 15.

To add more money into the fund, the council will host a live online video performance series with artists such asTerra Lightfoot.

Writers, dancers and other performers will also be included, all of whomwill receive $250 each.

The video performances will air through Facebook Live and will be shared across social media platforms.

This follows efforts by CoBALT Connects to host its own virtual concerts.