In Response to Growing COVID-19 Changes

As COVID-19 continues to affect our community, we are determined to keep you informed on how these changes can impact Akin members. The Ontario government recently announced an Update to Public Health Measures in response to Omicron (COVID-19), temporarily moving to a modified Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopen.

While Akin studios remain open at this time to members, we have revised our studio policies in response to the rapidly spreading and highly transmissible Omicron Variant, we continue to adjust our policies in order to protect Akin members and our community as a whole. Click here to view Akin's COVID-19 Protocol at Akin Studios.

Some additional changes in the Public Health Measures from the Ontario Government which may impact some Akin Members:

• PCR testing and contract tracing is no longer widely available in Ontario unless you are a "high-risk" individual. The full list of who is eligible for PCR testing and contract tracing can be found here. In addition, most individuals with a positive result from a rapid antigen test will no longer be required or encouraged to get a confirmatory PCR or rapid molecular test.

• If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or have tested positive for COVID-19 with a rapid test, the government is advising that you assume it is COVID-19 and you self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days. 

• Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms who are vaccinated will be required to isolate for 105 days following the onset of symptoms. Their household contacts are also required to isolate with them. These individuals can end isolation after five days if their symptoms are improved for at least 24 hours and all public health and safety measures, such as masking and physical distancing, are followed. 

• Individuals who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or immunocompromised will be required to isolate for a minimum of 10 days. 

• If you have COVID-19 (or have symptoms or been in touch with someone who has) you should also notify your close contacts. A close contact is anyone you were less than two metres away from for at least 15 minutes, or multiple shorter lengths of time, without personal protective equipment in the 48 hours before your symptoms began or your positive test result, whichever came first. 

• Employers cannot threaten, fire, or penalize an employee in any other way because the employee took or plans on taking job-protected leave due to COVID-19, and doctors notes are not required for employees to use the leave. You can learn more about job-protected leave here.

If you require assistance while isolating, visit COVID-19: Support for people. You can also contact their public health unit for many isolation supports including:

• Use of isolation facilities;

• Referral to community supports and agencies;

• Mental health supports;

• Courier and delivery supports for food and necessities;

Additional resources available to support isolation through the High Priority Communities strategy.

Please don’t hesitate to email us with any questions or concerns at info@akincollective.com

We hope the upcoming days are safe and healthy for you and your loved ones,

Akin

Creative Coffee Break Blog Series: Part One

At home all day and looking for a creative or educational coffee break? Look no further! We have compiled a list of interesting reads, film festivals, virtual adventures and more you can do at home this week from the comfort of your couch.

If you are in a position to do so, please remember to support any creatives whose work you are enjoying during this time.

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Activity #1: Great Read! This Place: 150 Years Retold

Image source: CBC Books

Explore the past 150 years through the eyes of Indigenous creators in this groundbreaking graphic novel anthology. Beautifully illustrated, these stories are a wild ride through magic realism, serial killings, psychic battles and time travel. See how Indigenous peoples have survived a post-apocalyptic world since Contact.

Contributors include: Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Sonny Assu, Brandon Mitchell, Rachel and Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, David A. Robertson, Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair, Jen Storm, Richard Van Camp, Katherena Vermette, Chelsea Vowel, Tara Audibert, Kyle Charles, GMB Chomichuk, Natasha Donovan, Scott B. Henderson, Ryan Howe, Andrew Lodwick, Scott A. Ford, Donovan Yaciuk and Alicia Elliott.

This book is available at many online retailers including: Chapters Indigo, Amazon and more.

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Activity #2: Field Trip — Art Across Canada

Image source: Books & Brushes Field Trip: The Overstory by Richard Powers — May 12 @ 11:30AM (CDT)

Field Trip: Art Across Canada is a new online platform to deliver arts experiences with some of Canada’s most celebrated artists in a national partnership with leading arts organizations. From children’s programs to artist talks and workshops, these activities are designed to advance the work of our nation’s organizations through digital platforms for different age groups, on a range of subjects, that engage communities and support artists, particularly during the challenges presented during a pandemic.

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Activity #3: Citizens of Craft - The Podcast

This series, hosted by Canadian Crafts Federation Director, Maegen Black, brings together the voices of craft artists, curators, educators and collectors who speak off the cuff about craft practice and its role in their lives.

Each episode addresses one of the ten manifesto statements from the Citizens of Craft movement. Join as the story of craft is animated through the values we all hold dear. This project is made possible through extensive partnership with voicEd Radio, and the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

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Activity #4: IDFA Documentaries

Image source: IDFA - ‘Agnes & Nancy’ film.

Explore all films and interactive documentaries that have been shown at IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam) over the years. Many are available to watch online (by using the filter Watch Online), some for free! 

IDFA offers an independent and inspiring meeting place for audiences and professionals to see a diverse and high-quality program. The diverse nature of the event applies to the form and content of the films as well as to the cultural backgrounds of the filmmakers. IDFA offers an alternative to mass entertainment and uniformity, confirming that there is an increasing need in audiences for high-quality films that delve deep and urge us to reflect.

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Stay tuned for our next round up of home activities!

TD Community Sunday: Drawing to Communicate by Dalia Hassan

Recommended Age: All Ages (Children under 10 should try this activity with an adult)

Though drawing is typically viewed as a springboard to further artistic production, this activity will explore drawing as a fundamental practice in its own right. I like drawing because it is both intuitive and forgiving. You can accidentally spill ink over a piece, but still integrate it, work with it and end up with something beautiful. Using the demonstrations below to guide you, explore different techniques and materials to see how they can all work together. You can fly solo or do this as a group activity, with participants contributing to and building on each other’s work to open up communication and response.

About the Artist:

Dalia Hassan is a Cairo-born, Toronto-based visual artist. She received her Bachelor of Visual Arts from the American University in Cairo in 2007 and has spent the majority of her career working as an independent artist in Egypt. Hassan’s earlier work explored themes relating to city life, reflecting the abnormalities of her urban environment in a fantasized setting, often with gallows humor. Hassan’s recent practice, however, has turned toward abstraction, focusing on the mind and the relationship between consciousness and existence. Her work has been exhibited in Cairo and Toronto.

The Family Fun at Home Blog Series: Part One

At home with the kids all day and looking for a new activity to try? Look no further! We have compiled a list of DIY crafts and activities you can do at home this week with the family.

All activities have been created by North American creatives and organizations.

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Activity #1: #CCMfromhome: Canoe Cut Outs!

Image source: The Canadian Canoe Museum

The Canadian Canoe Museum has created 3 free canoe cut outs for families to colour and craft their very own miniature canoe or kayak! These canoes are modeled on actual canoes and kayaks in the museum’s collection: an Ojibway Bark Canoe, Nuu-chah-nulth Dugout Canoe, and a Sanikiluarmiut Kayak.

TIP: If you use crayons, and colour your canoe or kayak very thoroughly, it will be waterproofed for its maiden voyage.

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Activity #2: Colouring Pages by CTON

Image source: www.claytonhammer.com

Local illustrator Clayton ‘CTON’ Hammer is offering 2 free colouring pages on his website. You can download these super, fun colouring sheets to help pass the time while you and your family are hunkering down at home.

Clayton Hanmer (aka CTON) is an illustrator whose award-winning, energetic comic style has given him a surprisingly broad range of clients from The New York Times to National Geographic Kids.

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Activity #3: Crafting in Quarantine with Arts Etobicoke

Crafting in Quarantine with Marjan Verstappen is brought to you by Arts Etobicoke. In this series, Marjan will lead you through a fun and easy craft activity using cheap everyday items that you can find in your own home. Each week crafters will create a different art project, learn new skills, and explore various crafting techniques that you can do from home.

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Activity #4: Kids Meditation: Bulldog Finds His Treehouse

In this video by Stop, Breath & Think, Bulldog will show kids how to boost their superpower of calm to find a little bit of peace and quiet in the middle of a noisy day by taking deep, relaxed breaths. Try playing this mindful game when you feel overwhelmed or are in a noisy or hectic environment. This mindful game can also help you relax before naps or bedtime.

Stop, Breathe & Think’s mission is to help kids, teens and young adults build the emotional strength to tackle life’s ups and downs. They also have an app that can be downloaded through the Apple App and Google Play Stores. The app features many meditations and activities geared towards kids and young adults that allow users to check in with their feelings, build skills to help calm themselves, create positive daily routines and more!

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Social Distancing with Kids

Looking for a simple way to explain social distancing to your little ones? CBC Kids in collaboration with Saara Chaudry has created a thorough yet easy to understand video for families to watch together.

Saara Chaudry is passionate about having a positive impact on the world, whether it's within her community, on the big screen or in her role as a CBC Kids News contributor. The 15-year-old from Toronto played Little Cosette in Les Miserables, Howie on Max & Shred and Dana's older sister on Dino Dana. She was also the voice of Parvana in The Breadwinner, the feature film nominated for an Oscar, along with the Golden Globe and Canadian Screen awards.

Stay tuned for our next round up of home activities!

New COVID-19 Resource Page on www.akin.art

Akin is pleased to announce its new COVID-19 Resources web page. This list on this new page was compiled by the Akin Projects board and the Akin Team as a resource guide for artists, freelancers, and creatives who are in need of support during this challenging time.

This page will be updated regularly. Please check the top of the page to find out when the most recent updates were made.

COVID-19 Update - March 16th 2020

Dear Friends of Akin, 

Unfortunately, due to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, Akin has made the decision to halt all programming for the next 3 weeks including the Akin X Collision Gallery Group Exhibition and Launch Party, the Akin Lakeshore group exhibition Driftwork at Cloverdale Common, and the Spring Art Crawl. Collision Gallery, and Remote Gallery will also be closed during this time.  Akin's spring programming is currently scheduled to resume on April 6th 2020. Our first concern is the health and safety of our community is our top priority at this time and although the risk in Canada is still relatively low, we should do whatever possible to stop it from spreading.

At this time all Akin studios will remain open to members, although we are strongly encouraging members to refrain from non-essential studio use for at least the next three weeks. We know that things are stressful at the moment, but hope that this pause from normal routines can provide an opportunity to explore new ideas, and engage with your creativity in new ways. Looking for a break? Check out the top 10 guided meditations from last year here.

We will continue to keep you informed of any other changes as this situation evolves.

Best wishes for good health,

Akin

An Update from Akin regarding COVID-19 / Coronavirus

Dear Friends of Akin,

With growing global concerns around COVID-19 (“coronavirus”) we want to provide you with an update on our response to date. The health, safety and well-being of our community is Akin’s top priority and we are following the lead of Canadian public health authorities at this important time by taking steps to protect our studio members, our employees, and our programming attendees.

We understand concerns about COVID-19 and we are taking the necessary measures to reduce risk of transmitting the virus. We’ve taken additional steps to help ensure that our studio members and our employees are protected from the risk of infection and communicable diseases and are closely monitoring the situation 

At this time, all Spring programming at Akin will continue as planned with the exception of the March 26th Akin X Collision Gallery Launch Party which is cancelled until further notice. We will continue to follow the guidance of Health Canada and local health authorities. If the situation changes, we will inform you as soon as possible.

Please reach out to info@akincollective.com should you have any questions.

Thank you,

The Akin Team