Resource Centre
Here are some links to information and agencies that may be useful. However, we do not endorse any organization in particular nor can we verify the information provided.
Housing
Alberta Works helps Albertans with low incomes cover their basic living costs with programs such as Income Support, Emergency Needs Allowance (emergency costs of rental arrears/eviction, utilities in arrears, food, damage deposit and so on), Health Benefits, and Financial Support for Training
Direct to Tenant Rent Supplement Program is a subsidy paid directly to an eligible tenant to assist with rental costs. It is part of Housing and Urban Affairs Alberta government department. Also call 403 310 4455 (Service Alberta) for information
Calgary Housing Action Initiative is a nonprofit organization with links to emergency housing resources, emergency financial resources, alternative and low cost rentals, among other things. The links include The Red Cross and Salvation Army, which also give 1-time assistance for rental arrears, damage deposit and utilities disconnection.
Calgary Rent Bank provides loans for families and individuals to help secure housing and prevent residential eviction and termination of utilities
Calgary Housing Company (search ‘Calgary Housing Company’) is a City of Calgary department which manages subsidized and low income affordable housing
Calgary Homeless Foundation links page has a wealth of information from aboriginal organizations to community and government resources to health etc.
Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative gives information on housing, health, human rights and so on
Health
Alberta Health Services covers major questions about physical and mental health (formerly Calgary Health region) - programs and links included
Healthlink is a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week nurse telephone advice and health information service - call toll free 1 866 408 5465 or in Calgary 403 943 5465
Distress Centre Calgary is a 24-hour crisis line - 403 266 1605 and provides crisis support, information, and referral services
Canadian Mental Health Association has programs, information, a ‘get help’ section, and links
The Alex Community Health Centre at 101, 1318 Centre Street, phone 403 266 2622 has a variety of health services, crisis and resource specialists, counsellors, and food and nutrition programs
Native Counselling Services of Alberta - programs in wellness, homelessness and housing, justice, employment etc.
Calgary Sexual Health Centre - counselling, sexual health and peer education, outreach
Calgary Outlink: Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity has programs, 24-hour info line, a library and drop-in centre; the peer support/crisis line is 1 877 688 4765
AIDS Calgary provides support and outreach as well as an education page and links
Calgary Co-operative Memorial Society is a co-op dedicated to ’simplicity, dignity, and economy in preplanned funerals’
Community Kitchen Program provides inexpensive food boxes and a program to cook meals at low cost
Hospitals:
Foothills Medical Centre 403 944 1110
Peter Lougheed Centre 403 943 4555
Rockyview General Hospital 403 943 3000
Alberta Children’s Hospital 403 955 7211
Arts-related Health Resources
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety - information on chemical and material hazards in the workplace
The following are American sites or organizations:
Artist Help Network is a resource site with information about health hazards, money and legal issues among other things
Artists Foundation is a resource site providing information about healthcare issues as well as ‘being in the arts’ tips (how to write a grant, etc.)
Searchable Database of Health and Safety Information for Artists - this database includes all art mediums plus child art hazards
Art Hazards - Internet and Library Resources - links to material handling and studio safety, searchable databases, journal articles
Online Health and Safety in the Arts Library - texts from the University of Illinois at Chicago’s program for Health in the Arts; includes full manual of ‘Art Safety Procedures for Art Schools and Art Departments’ as well as lots of other information
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry - information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances
Centre for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology - general information and links to health and safety issues in the arts
Arts, Crafts, and Theater Safety - safety and hazard information
True Art hazards information - information on artist’s materials as well as numerous articles on everything from allergies to photochemicals to woodworking
Disaster Safety - their ‘get prepared’ section has useful information on disaster preparedness
Healthy artist guide to a less toxic studio -pdf
Health hazards and safety tips for artists - pdf
Warehouse studio health and safety - pdf
General Information
Inform Alberta is a province-wide service directory that lists community, health, social, and government services
211 is a three-digit phone number and site that connect you to a full range of (non-emergency) community, social, and government service information in Calgary
Calgary Street Survival Guide search ‘Street Survival Guide’ - this City of Calgary site lists a variety of shelters, places to find food and clothing, access to various programs, etc. pdf file: street_survival_guide
Community Resource Centres are community-based 1-stop shops for resources and support in every Calgary district. They exist to connect you to all available community services, organizations, and groups
Money Mentors offer money coaching, debt management information, and credit counselling
CARFAC gives information on income tax and insurance for artists, among other things
Cultural Human Resources Council provides information on training, career development, and other human resource issues to cultural workers
New to Canada - Centre for Newcomers is a resource centre for immigrants
Calgary Public Library has free internet access with a library card. Eau Claire Market also has free computer access.
Calgary\’s galleries provides a comprehensive list of all artist-run centres and commercial galleries in the city
Funding Agencies for Individual Artists
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Legal resources
Calgary Legal Guidance offers free legal assistance to people with low income
Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary - individual and/or group support primarily for women in legal trouble
Legal Aid Alberta - legal services at a reduced cost to persons who need assistance for criminal or civil legal matters
Pro Bono Law Alberta has information about legal resources for low income Albertans, including a library section and comprehensive links section
Alberta Law Line - free legal information and resource referrals; legal advice based on financial eligibility - 1 866 845 3425
Materials available
Freecycle Calgary a place where you can exchange goods for free
Borrow Me is a place to borrow, sell, rent, or give away stuff
Related Organizations - National
Artists Health Centre Foundation Toronto
Canadian Arts Resources Foundation for Ontario (CARFO)
Related Organizations - American
Artist Relief Fund Minnesota
Springboard for the Arts Minnesota
Emergency Artists\’ Support League - EASL Texas
Visual Aid San Francisco/Bay area
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation
Ruth Talaber Artists\’ Emergency Fund through the Chicago Artists’ Coalition, look under ’services’
Artist Trust Florida
Society for the Arts in Healthcare promoting arts as an integral part of healthcare
Fractured Atlas services to support artists including access to health and liability insurance and microgrants
Healthcare for Artists Massachusetts
Modest Needs not exclusively for artists
Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts
Music related: