With the 2020/21 Artist Producer Training Program deadline coming up on May 15, we thought we’d share some answers to questions we’ve been hearing. Thanks to all those who have reached out to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have the right experience for this program?
We are looking for applicants who have some producing experience. You may not have called yourself a producer, but if you were managing the budget, assembling the team, and putting out fires along the way, you were probably producing. If you've never looked at a budget before, this is not the program for you. That said, if you have experience outside of the live performance world (at a non-profit organization for example), that can definitely be transferable.
What do you mean when you say "artist producer"?
We absolutely welcome folks who do not identify as artists, or who do not have artistic practices of their own. We use the term "artist producer" to reflect our approach to producing as a fundamentally creative practice. At Generator we work to tear apart the binary that separates the artist from the administrator. Artist producers build creative thinking into everything they do. (Except when they're talking to the CRA—don't be creative with them. And don't be thinking about your spreadsheets while you're literally up on stage. You get the idea.)
The first Artist Producer Training cohort graduated in 2016. Over the course of five years, the program has transformed the careers of twenty-seven Artist Producers. View our alumni gallery here.
What do you mean by a social justice/equity framework?
These are values we hold as an organization, and this program is not Social Justice 101. We expect participants to come in with an understanding of anti-oppression work, and experience putting those values into practice. We recognize that not every organization or person you've worked with is likely to have shared your values or necessarily worked from an equity framework, and that's okay—a lot of what we talk about in this program is how to navigate those situations, and how to make values-driven producing decisions.
What about covid-19?
Until it is safe to do so, we will not be gathering together in person. Right now, the 2019/20 Artist Producer Training cohort is completing stage three of the program on Zoom. It's not ideal, and we certainly miss the human-to-human interaction that this program thrives on, but we are committed to making APT happen next year, even if it has to happen predominately online.
Does that mean I can apply if I'm not based in Toronto?
At this time, we are only accepting applications from folks who will be available for in-person meetings in Toronto between October 2020-May 2021. We see producing as a localized practice with foundational skills—we don't think someone outside of the GTA would be well-served by the current structure of the curriculum. We also really value in-person connection as a component of the program! That said, this Zoom-tastic time is teaching us a lot about the possibility of online program delivery, so if you're interested in applying but are currently outside of Toronto, email Kristina (kristina@generatorto.com) so that she can stay in touch if things change in the future.
But when will we be producing live performance again?
If only we knew! We're in a time of incredible change in our sector, and we're excited about the possibilities ahead. APT is, and has always been, a place to dream about what producing can look like, and to pave the way for different ways of working. We're looking forward to considering the future of live performance with our 2020/21 cohort! And rest assured, even if there's no way to produce for a while, the skills you learn in APT are incredibly transferable—not only to prepare you for future work but to help you navigate so many areas of your life.
Watch
Many of the questions answered above were inspired by our April 27 Facebook Live with Generator staff Sedina Fiati and Kristina Lemieux. Press play or click here to watch the video on Facebook Live:
2:25 Welcome & Land Acknowledgment
5:40 Presentation begins
26:30 We start answering questions (presentation continues)
36:00-1:04:00 Question & Answer Period
Check the comments on the video to view the questions (answered in the order in which they were asked).
Helpful Links
About the Artist Producer Training Program (including curriculums past and present, guest instructors, and alumni)
The 2020/21 Call for Submissions (deadline: May 15 at 5pm ET)
The Artist Producer Training YouTube playlist will guide you through the application process (but please note it was created for 2019/20, so please refer to the 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.
A look at how the Artist Producer Training Program impacts participants over time. Graphic design by Kinnon Elliott, based on interviews conducted by Neta J. Rose. You can also read about the trajectories of individual graduates Kevin Matthew Wong (2016) and Ryan G. Hinds (2018).