Cultural institutions are taking a hit as concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic lead to empty seats at cinemas, theatres and TV show tapings. Toronto’s Roy Thompson Hall and Massey Hall are suspending all events.The Stratford Festival has called off all performances from April 11 to May 2, as well as public events in its facilities through next month.The National Arts Centre in Ottawa announced all performances and events will be cancelled through April 5. The Art Gallery of Ontario is closing for three weeks beginning Friday night at 9 p.m.The 2020 SOCAN Awards scheduled for March 30th in Toronto have been cancelled.The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada represents the performing rights of more than 135,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers.

 

The TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto will be selling fewer tickets per screening for at least the next four weeks as part of a new social-distancing policy.The theatre said movie-goers will be separated by three seats to give audiences space to safely enjoy the film.

Canada’s national museums are set to shut their door Saturday, March 14th. National Museums of Canada has announced that the public institutions will be closed until further notice to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The decision impacts the Canadian Museum of History, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21,  Canadian Museum of Nature, Canadian War Museum and the National Gallery of Canada.