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CALL FOR THE 24/25 PRODUCER DEVELOPMENT UNIT
Introducing the Producer Development Unit (PDU)! This is a year-long program from October 2024 to June 2025 for emerging producers to grow, learn, and thrive in the arts industry. Generator’s goal is to offer targeted support, resources and opportunities while prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity, with a focus on expanding and deepening the community we serve.
Open Call
Producer Development Unit (PDU)
PDU Call Posting Formats
Listen to an audio recording of this PDU call here.
View this posting as a PDF with black, orange, and grey font here.
View this posting as a PDF with black font and yellow and green highlighting here.
Download this posting as a Word file with black font here.
About the Program:
Introducing the Producer Development Unit (PDU)! This is a year-long program from October 2024 to June 2025 for emerging producers to grow, learn, and thrive in the arts industry. Generator’s goal is to offer targeted support, resources and opportunities while prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity, with a focus on expanding and deepening the community we serve.
Program Features
One-on-One Mentorships: Benefit from up to three personalized mentorship sessions tailored to your needs.
Financial Literacy Programs: Gain free access to both Financial Literacy streams. FinLit Non-Profit Worker (Fall 2024) & FinLit Independent Artist (Winter 2025). Both programs run over the course of 6 weeks and happen online.
Spark Night Tickets: Enjoy free invitations to our Spark Night, an evening filled with networking opportunities.
Priority Access: Be among the first to sign up for Generator’s workshops, resources, and events, plus enjoy free tickets to industry events and shows. You will have first access to register for our Professional Development Workshops, Artist Producer Lab* Application, and other Free Opportunities at Generator.
Access to Generator’s Network: Connect with a broad network of industry professionals.
Monthly Opportunities Updates: Receive monthly emails highlighting upcoming internal and external opportunities to enhance your career.
*Artist Producer Lab participation is not guaranteed.
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for 10 emerging/early career artist-producers who are:
Seeking to grow and enhance their skills in a supportive environment.
From equity-deserving communities, including BIPOC, racialized, persons with d/Disabilities, LGBTQI+, newcomers, immigrants, and refugees, etc.
Committed to values-driven practices, with a focus on accessibility, inclusivity, and making meaningful contributions to their communities.
Interested in developing and implementing equitable and sustainable working practices.
Those who have had limited access to Generator’s resources or formal producer training.
Program Timeline
Application Deadline: September 24, 2024 11:59PM
Application Review: September 25 to October 1, 2024
All Applicants Notified: October 2, 2024
Meet and Greet: Week of October 7 - October 11, 2024 - Time TBD
Virtual meet & greet to introduce participants and outline the program.
Monthly Engagement: October 2024 - June 2025
Participants will be able to book one-on-ones, sign up for workshops and receive monthly emails with opportunities, industry events, and free ticket offers.
Program Wrap-Up: June 2025
Final feedback form, closing event, and reflection on the program’s progress.
How to Apply:
Please complete and submit this Google form by 11:59 PM on September 24, 2024. (Update: Applications are now closed)
To help us get to know you better, please choose ONE of the following response options:
Option 1: Write your responses directly in the Google form. Feel free to use any format that works for you—paragraphs, bullet points, stream of consciousness, or even a poetic format.
Option 2: Record a video or audio clip (maximum 2.5 minutes) answering the questions and upload it through the form.
If you need an alternate way to answer the application questions, please reach out to Taran at taranjot@generatorto.com.
Click here if you would like to view the google form questions beforehand.
Selection Process:
Applications will be reviewed by Bianca Guimarães, Taran Bamrah, and Patricia Allison. Selection will be based on how well applicants meet the criteria outlined for the program, as well as their enthusiasm and commitment to the PDU. Our goal is to prioritize those who are passionate about growing as producers and contributing to a supportive, values-driven arts community.
Call for New Position at Generator
Generator recognizes that producing is a creative practice. We reject the binary that separates ‘boring, efficient office worker’ from ‘passionate, clueless creative’ and embrace the exciting, fertile, and collaborative space where arts management and live performance meet. We are an organization dedicated to learning.
Deadline: Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 12:00am ET
Summary
Generator is hiring a New Position (job title to be determined) which is one of three positions that each hold comparable responsibility within the organization.
Base Salary $27,300 for 17.5 hours of work a week + additional benefits (read more under Salary Information)
Key Responsibilities for this New Position include, connecting with the Toronto live-performance community, developing programming pathways in and out of the organization, securing funds (grant writing, fundraising etc.), and dramaturgically supporting the evolution of the programming (read more under About the Role and Who Should Apply)
Applications are due November 9, 2023 (read more under Application Dates & Hiring Process)
There are multiple ways to connect with individual Generator team members or the whole team at once with any questions or curiosities ahead of the application deadline (read more under Opportunities to Learn More & Connect)
Posting Formats
Introduction
Generator is seeking a New Position to join the team as we continue to experiment with leadership models and program development. We are looking for a collaborative, curious, and passionate individual to join us.
We have written a blog post “Organizationally Generator: A Snapshot of the Present & Imagining the Future” about how we can imagine this role and the current structure of our organization.
Generator recognizes that producing is a creative practice. We reject the binary that separates ‘boring, efficient office worker’ from ‘passionate, clueless creative’ and embrace the exciting, fertile, and collaborative space where arts management and live performance meet. We are an organization dedicated to learning.
We prioritize applications from folks from equity-deserving groups, including those who identify as Indigenous, racialized, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Disabled, Neurodiverse, MAD and intersections of those identities. We enthusiastically invite submissions from individuals from a diversity of performing arts practices.
Please note Generator’s office space is only accessible by stairs. You can read more about office accessibility on our website here. Please refer to the ‘Generator Office & Remote Work’ sections of the Application Packages for details about our office status.
About the Role
Key Responsibilities
Some of what is contained in this role’s responsibilities will come out of an emergent process between Bianca, Patricia, and this new hire. For placeholding purposes we are calling this role New Resourcing, this role is responsible for:
Connecting to the Toronto performing arts keeping a finger on the pulse, ear to the ground, eye on the ball of what is emerging for Toronto artists and how an organization like Generator could make interventions and offer one-on-one support
Provide a sounding board and / or dramaturgical support for the projects ongoing at Generator - read more Programming Changes
Creating pathways for artists and organizations through and out of the organization
Securing funds for new projects and initiatives and supporting connected projects in securing funding
Salary Information
This position will be an employee with a base salary for $27,300 for 17.5 hours of work a week (at a rate of $30/hour). In addition, Generator offers:
Extremely flexible work schedule
$900 Wellness Funds annually (this is a taxable benefit, so it will appear on a T4)
$480 Professional Development Funds annually
Two weeks vacation in the first year (3 in the second year, 4 in the third), plus paid time off period from the Friday before Christmas Eve until the first Monday after New Year’s Day
Work culture values deep thinking/feeling and practicing actions that are responsive to what emerges to people working with the organization, and the systems we operate within.
Annually additional grants will be applied for that may increase the base salary - this salary amount is as secure as our operational funding.
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for applicants who have:
5+ years of experience working in and with live performance or in creative industries
passion about learning and sharing
a strong understanding of what’s required to develop and deliver content for in-person and online learning
experience with and passion for granting systems and sourcing resources (financial, social, networks, etc) for a variety of projects
strong networks in Toronto performance communities, connections outside of Toronto or Nationally are an asset
an interest in ethical and sustainable working practices
We are committed to bringing a strong lens of social and transformative justice to the organization’s strategic direction, and are prioritizing IBPOC applicants and other members of equity-deserving groups who can bring their living and learned experience to guide Generator’s next iteration.
Application Dates & Hiring Process
Dates
November 9, 2023: Application due date (12am ET) ~ aka they will be circulated to the committee first thing November 10
November 17 & 18: Conversations/Interviews
January 2024: Potential start date (flexible)
Please note: dates are subject to change.
All interviews will be conducted in person, digital meetings available upon request.
How To Apply
This Hiring Committee will review up to a maximum five minutes of content per applicant. That content may be a written, visual, audio, or video (or a combination therein). We are less interested in polished content, but rather want to know how you think and what excites you.
Please email your content to joinus@generatorto.com.
If you need accommodations to make this application happen, please reach out to joinus@generatorto.com, and Kristina Lemieux will be able to support you through the application process via email, phone call, and/or video chat.
Hiring Committee
The Hiring Committee will consist of Bianca Guimarães de Manuel and Patricia Allison. This process is being project managed by Kristina Lemieux who will communicate with applicants and coordinate the interview process. Applications may be reviewed by Generator Board members.
Interviews Process
Generator will invite up to five applicants to join an interview process. All interview time will be paid. The exact nature of the interview process will be directed by who applies and their relationships to Generator and the current team. Our intention is to keep this process conversational, relational, and relaxed. You are interviewing us, as much as we are interviewing you. All interviews will be conducted in person, digital meetings available upon request.
All applicants will be contacted.
Opportunities to Learn More & Connect
Interested applicants are also welcome to book a time one-on-one to learn more about the organization and this ongoing transition:
You can find bios for everyone named above here. Please note that these conversations are for information purposes only, and will have no bearing on the decisions of the hiring committee.
Additionally we will hold two Application Support Sessions. This will be a way for you to meet the staff team at Generator (Bianca, Patricia, and Kristina), ask us about the Generator, or get support putting together your application:
Friday, October 20, 10:00-11:30 AM ET
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ixf-ngge-wmd
Or dial: (CA) +1 705-419-8953 PIN: 293 751 629#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ixf-ngge-wmd?pin=3049530561278
Wednesday, October 25, 2:00-3:30 PM ET
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ngn-sibw-hsd
Or dial: (CA) +1 604-774-2023 PIN: 954 197 623#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/ngn-sibw-hsd?pin=6241415465033
Past Job Calls Packages & Application Packages
If you desire more information or context, you may review previous job calls and packages that fulsomely outlined more about what it means to work for Generator.
March 16, 2022 Call for Co-Leadership - Creative Director: Operations | Application Package
May 19, 2021 Call for Leadership | Application Package
Should you have further questions or need clarification please reach out to Kristina at joinus@generatorto.com or book a time with one of us here: Opportunities to Learn More & Connect
This call for applications was written by Kristina Lemieux, Bianca Guimarães de Manuel, and Patricia Allison. Our thinking on this call specifically was informed by advice from Jordan Baylon and Cara Spooner. Much of this writing was drawn from a previous call for applications written by ted witzel, Kristina Lemieux, and Annie Clarke, with input from Generator’s staff, board, Strategic Advisors, and artist Angela Sun.
The Generator office is located in Tkarón:to (Mohawk word for “where there are trees standing in the water”). The original caretakers include the Mississaugas of The Credit First Nation and other Anishinaabe nations, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat peoples and other nations acknowledged and unacknowledged, recorded and unrecorded.
We recognize their ongoing stewardship and seek meaningful relationships with local Indigenous artists and communities as we listen to and learn from their stories.
Call for the 2023 Artist Producer Training Program (APT Embedded)
Generator recognizes that producing is a creative practice. We reject the binary that separates ‘boring, efficient office worker’ from ‘passionate, clueless creative’ and embrace the exciting, fertile, and collaborative space where arts management and live performance meet. We prioritize applications from folks from equity-deserving groups, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, racialized, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Disabled (visible and invisible), Neurodiverse, MAD and intersections of those identities. We enthusiastically invite submissions from individuals from a diversity of performing arts practices.
APT Embedded Call
Generator recognizes that producing is a creative practice. We reject the binary that separates ‘boring, efficient office worker’ from ‘passionate, clueless creative’ and embrace the exciting, fertile, and collaborative space where arts management and live performance meet. We prioritize applications from folks from equity-seeking groups, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Disabled and intersections of those identities. We enthusiastically invite submissions from individuals from a diversity of performing arts practices.
APT Embedded Call Posting Formats
Listen to an audio recording of this APT posting here.
View this posting as a PDF with black, orange, and grey font here.
View this posting as a PDF with black font and yellow and green highlighting here.
Download this posting as a Word file with black font here.
APT Embedded
Summary
Four participants will work with one of our partner organizations: DanceMakers, Shakespeare in the Ruff, Toronto Fringe, or SummerWorks. more
The participant will complete a minimum of 80 hours between May and August 31, specific timelines depend on the organization with which the participant is placed. more
Minimum fee to be paid to participants is $2,800 + HST (if applicable) more
Application form: https://airtable.com/shrkNDUIpr2eckPVG
Deadline to Apply - April 28, 2023 at 11:59 pm ET more
All applicants will be contacted by May 3, 2023 more
Successful applicants will then move to the Interview process. Interviews will take place May 10 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM and May 11 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM more
This year’s Program Coordinator will be Eva Barrie (eva@generatorto.com) more
Details
APT Embedded is an 80+ hour experience for an artist producer to be embedded directly within an organization for a unique learning experience that is supported both by the host organization and Generator. Four artist producers will be matched with one of our partner organizations: DanceMakers, Shakespeare in the Ruff, Toronto Fringe, or SummerWorks. They will work with Generator and their cohort for about 10 hours, will have at least 70 hours of time within the host organization, as well as have time for self-directed learning and research. All activity will happen between May and August - see specifics under About the Opportunities. Those who participate will gain skills to sustain a career in the arts, create and implement projects and budgets that have the goal of paying better wages to artists, and improve the overall health of the performing arts ecology. We are particularly interested in applicants whose practices work from a social justice/equity framework and who are currently working on self-produced projects. The program is coordinated by Eva Barrie.
The program runs from May 1 - August 31, 2023. Each Embedded artist producer will have a slightly different schedule. See About the Opportunities for the details of each specific schedule.
There will be several Cohort wide events such as Welcome Potluck, mid-point check-in, and Closing Potluck - times will be decided by the cohort.
The total fee paid to each participant for completing the Artist Producer Training Program is $2,800 disbursed in two installments one at the beginning of the process and the second upon completion of the practicum. This fee presumes approximately 10 hours in shared learning with your Cohort, optional one-on-one coaching with the Generator team, at least 70 hours embedded in your placement, and additional time on self-learning and research.
How to apply
Submissions will be accepted via a form on AirTable until April 28, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.
Submissions will be reviewed by and interviews conducted by Generator staff and our partners: DanceMakers, Shakespeare in the Ruff, Toronto Fringe, or SummerWorks
This group will review up to a maximum five minutes of content per applicant. That content may be a written, visual, audio, or video component. Because of the short turnover, the panel is less interested in polished content, but rather wants to know how you think and what excites you.
In your application, consider touching on some these questions:
Who are you? (Where are you a local? Who inspires you? What excites you about Toronto’s arts community?)
How do you define yourself as an artist and where are you at in your career?
Why do you want to take on a producing role?
What excites you about APT Embedded and the opportunities included?
What is your relationship to the role of producer?
Thinking about your philosophy and values as an artist and a producer…
How do you define your artistic and/or producing practice, in both form and discipline?
What motivates your practice?
What is a project you are proud of?
What kind of collaborators are you drawn to?
Reflecting on your positionality, lived experiences, intersecting identities, or any privileges you may experience, what does equity and liberation feel and look like to you? How does it/could it impact your artistic and producing practice?
Example of formats:
1500 words of writing OR
An image(s) OR
a 5-minute audio/video recording OR
500 words of writing and a 3-minute video OR
A combination of your choosing
Note: We prefer a link to a video hosting service like YouTube or Vimeo as they are easier to share with our Committee than a Google Drive or OneDrive link.
Also:
Attach a resume or CV. If the impending deadline is causing you stress, there is no need to update or enhance your current CV to apply for this project, simply attach the last one you used.
You will have the option to complete some voluntary self-identification questions.
You are free to offer contact information of a maximum of two references, but it is not necessary.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Notice & Interviews
We aim to be in touch with all applicants by May 3, 2023. Interviews will likely be via online video conference. Applicants selected for interviews will be interviewed at a time on May 10 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM and May 11 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM. The interview committee will be comprised of: Cara Spooner (DanceMakers), Eva Barrie (Generator), Michael Caldwell and Morgan Norwich (SummerWorks), Janice Peters Gibson (Shakespeare in the Ruff), and Tessa Cernik (Toronto Fringe).
Please contact eva@generatorto.com if you have any questions.
Get support and learn before you apply
Book 15 minutes with the Generator team to have your questions answered:
Learn about who you would be meeting with on bios on Team Page
Eva Barrie (APT Program Coordinator) - https://calendar.app.google/Z2w6EAXGPcg4k7oA7
Kristina (Interim Management Support) - https://arrangr.com/kristinalemieux/apt
Bianca Guimarães (Creative Director: Operations) - https://rb.gy/kfc1y
Patricia (Communications Manager and ArtistProducerResource.com Producer) - https://calendar.app.google/GCjkohbw2cKbRVUd7
Application Support Sessions will be a way for you to meet some of the staff at Generator, ask us about the program, or get support putting together your application.
Tuesday, April 18, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/twe-roxi-yej
Or dial: (CA) +1 587-687-8291 PIN: 530 445 410#
Friday, April 21, 3:30 - 4:30 PM
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rrm-syrb-igr
Or dial: (CA) +1 226-315-7062 PIN: 850 380 130#
Wednesday, April 26th, Noon - 1:00 PM
Discord, Toronto Indie Artsworker Network Server: https://discord.gg/Hxq8CgSncE
Just show up at any point in these times.
Watch our video playlist
This YouTube playlist will guide you through the application process (but please note it was created for 2019/20, so please refer to this Call for Submissions for the most accurate and current information), and introduce you to several Artist Producer Training graduates who discuss their experiences in the program. APT Embedded comes as the next iteration of the previous APT programs. Over the course of the past six years of APT cohorts, the program has transformed the careers of thirty-two Artist Producers.
Assessment Criteria
All applications will be assessed on the following criteria.
1. Artistic Journey
Does this candidate have an understanding of the work they want to do and how they want it to come about? Can the needs/resources of the Partner Organization support their journey? Does the candidate’s goal and work excite and move forward the voices and stories Generator and the Partner Organizations are interested in centering?
2. Producing
Does this candidate understand, or are they willing to investigate, what their unique producing gifts and challenges are? Do they have enough of a producing background to allow them to collaboratively and creatively investigate the practise of producing? How much access does this candidate have to training opportunities? Do they have producing projects going forward?
3. Connections
How does this candidate understand their positionality, lived experience, and intersecting identities in relationship to the communities they work with? How does their positionality, lived experience and intersecting identities impact their work? Will this candidate’s participation potentially elevate or support the communities they are working in?
4. Additional Considerations
Is this candidate a member of an Equity-deserving group or groups? Are there barriers they face which make this training hard to receive? Is it difficult for this candidate to receive training because of systems which oppress their intersections of identities, such as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, racialized, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Disabled (visible and invisible), Neurodiverse, and/or MAD?
Who Should Apply
APT participants tend to have been practicing as producers before beginning the program. This may mean, for example, a Fringe show or two. They have tried their hand at bringing a show from concept to audience. We are hesitant to apply a time frame to producing experience, as some experiences bring more knowledge and practical skills than others. If they went to a performance training program or completed other post-secondary education (although there is no requirement to have done so), based on experiences from APTers of the past, they have been out of that program for 5+ years. They have already done a lot of work on understanding the complexity of performance in Toronto/Canada and have done or led work in social justice.