FIFTY per cent of staff at National Folk Festival headquarters will have to go as the organisation rebuilds and regroups. Managing director Helen Roben said they had explored all alternative options but were now contacting stakeholders and refunding money where necessary.

MEANWHILE on a more positive note, the Canberra Artists Action Group held a virtual meeting of almost 100 people yesterday to set up working groups aimed at finding positive solutions for the arts community in light of the coronavirus. Convener Michael Sollis urges members of the public with a keen interest in the arts to join facebook.com/groups/1796707080567371

TUGGERANONG Arts Centre will close to the public from close of business today, Thursday, March 19.

CANBERRA Contemporary Art Space will not open the doors at its new East Space gallery and has closed the CCAS satellite space in Furneaux Street, Manuka, until further notice. All public programs, opening events, projects and residencies have been suspended for the time being.

BUT most galleries, while cancelling public programs, lectures and parties, are going ahead with exhibitions that are not expected to attract densely-packed crowds.

M16 Artspace has decided not to hold an opening function this Thursday night, March 19, but the exhibitions by Domenic Mico, Sally O’Neill and Madeline Young will be open March 20 to April 5.

CRAFT ACT will remain open to the public to view exhibitions and buy work from the shop and gallery but floor talks, opening events and internship programs have been suspended until further notice. “Terra Celestial: 2019 artists-in-residence” and “Wayfaring”, will still run from March 26 to May 9 and the organisation will share videos, photographs, catalogues and a virtual tour online.

MEGALO Print Studio + Gallery in Kingston will remain open to the public but all public programs, including classes, workshops, exhibition openings and 40th birthday events, have been suspended.

CHRIS Burton’s solo exhibition “Pencil On” is still showing at ANCA Gallery in Dickson this week, noon to 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday this week but then ANCA will close the gallery from March 25.

IVY Hill Gallery down at the coast has cancelled opening drinks for “Fragile Equilibrium”, but is going ahead with the planned exhibition by Sally Simpson and Cheryl Davison, with additional work by Katherine Boland and Kim Falkenmire. At 1795 Tathra Bermagui Road, Wapengo, 10am–5pm, Thursday to Sunday, March 19 to April 26.

THE remainder of the 2020 Alliance Française French Film Festival running at Palace Cinema has been cancelled as of today (Thursday, March 19).

PERFORMANCES cancelled or re-scheduled include:

“Australian Art Song,” Sarahlouise Owens and pianist Phillipa Candy at Wesley Music Centre, Sunday, March 29;

Luminescence Chamber Singers’ “O Gladsome Light: Music from Moscow”, April 4;

St Andrews Braidwood Concert Series will postpone all future concerts until further notice;

The Australian Tour of Moscow Ballet’s “La Classique” production of “Sleeping Beauty” will be re-scheduled to 2021.

BUT events due to run later in the year are still moving ahead, with APRA AMCOS and the Australian Music Centre are extending nominations to March 25.