Because musicians are unable to tour, entertainment professionals are suddenly out of work, and venue owners have closed their doors and laid off staff, The Unison Benevolent Fund has launched the $500,000 Unison COVID-19 Relief Program.
Since the outbreak, Unison has received an overwhelming number of requests for assistance from the music community; registrations have increased by a whopping 1,900%, or nearly $200,000 per week.
Now more than ever, Unison’s emergency relief assistance is a critical safety-net for members of our Canadian music industry deeply affected by the COVID-19 virus itself, and the precautions and protocols surrounding it. In response, the Slaight Family Foundation donated $250,000, which will be matched by the Unison office – initially to fund housing costs, medical expenses, and groceries.
“The creative community adds so much inspiration to our daily lives through their talents and now more than ever they need our support during this crisis,” said Gary Slaight, President and CEO of Slaight Communications, in a statement. “I hope that our donation to The Unison Fund will inspire others to do the same, as our artists need our support”.
This initial $500,000 will help our community for the short term, but in order to meet the growing demand for support, Unison needs partners to ensure a future for our Canadian music community.
If you work in the Canadian music industry and require assistance, please register for Unison’s services. For counselling inquiries and support to help deal with the financial or emotional impact of COVID-19, please contact 1-855-986-4766. For emergency financial assistance inquiries, please review the application process here.
To learn more about partnership opportunities, donations, or inquiries, please contact sponsorship@unisonfund.ca.