"APT was a game-changer for me."

Testimonial from Ryan G. Hinds
Graduate of the Artist Producer Training Program, 2018/19

Full text of image above: Last year I was an artist with some regional theatre credits and a few festival successes under my belt. THIS year:

…I produced my own smash-hit show at Fringe: #KanderandEbb sold out its entire run at the Fringe - that’s never happened to me before. Yes, it was absolutely a good show, but what made it stand out was the way it was produced. I used it as an exercise during APT, so that was a direct result of what I learned in the program.

…I’m the Second Vice President of Equity. Learning about Canadian Actors’ Equity in APT taught me the association’s strengths, and where I thought they could improve. That meant when I ran for the Equity Council, I knew what I was talking about. I won the election, became one of seven regional councillors from Ontario, and was voted Second Vice President.

…and I produced a show at Next Stage! A fellow APT graduate invited me to produce at NSTF - my first time bearing the title of ‘Producer.’ I’ve been asked to sit on an arts council jury. I’ve had conversations with Soulpepper and Luminato. APT put resources directly in my path and expanded my network in ways I didn’t even think were possible.

I never identified as a producer before APT. The success of #KanderandEbb leveled up my career, and made people look at me in a new way. It was a direct line here from APT.

The Artist Producer Training Call for Submissions goes out every year in the spring. Learn more about the program here.

Graphic created by Kinnon Elliott. Interview by Neta J. Rose.

"APT helped me find steady work."

Testimonial from Taliesin McEnaney
Graduate of the Artist Producer Training Program, 2015/16

Full text from image above: As the sole income-earner, and mom, I needed to make a living and support my family.

I knew I wasn’t going to be able to work as a performer or freelance director, at least not at this time in my life. I needed to find steady work.

I had applied to do my MFA so I could teach and make a living. But APT felt like the best way to use the skills that I already had, and refine them. So I ended up doing both that year. I came away feeling like APT was way more valuable.

It was a crash-course in meeting everybody. They brought in people from interesting companies. We learned about community engagement, and partnering with other organizations, which was something I wouldn’t have thought of before.

It opened my eyes to the opportunities that can come from community-engaged art, and why we do this.

There’s still so much to learn, but I’m feeling pretty confident. That’s a pretty amazing thing. I am on the right track.

APT brought me into the supportive indie community. I got a full-time job, a steady job. I feel optimistic now.

The Artist Producer Training Call for Submissions goes out every year in the spring. Learn more about the program here.

Graphic created by Kinnon Elliott. Interview by Neta J. Rose.

2017/18 Annual Report

Generator has published our Annual Report for 2017/18! Our 2017/18 Fiscal Year was September 1, 2017-August 31, 2018. Here are some highlights:

• We launched ArtistProducerResource.com after years of development, reaching over 1,600 visitors in the first 48 hours!

• We piloted a Financial Literacy Program, addressing an urgent need for money management skills and knowledge in the arts community

• We launched a series of social justice labs - Woke 2.0 - with the Storefront Theatre

• We held our first ever fundraising event - Boat Booty Bash - in June

• After a two-and-a-half year research and evaluation study commissioned by the Toronto Arts Foundation, a sector study reported on initiatives at Generator and Why Not Theatre that are transforming the landscape for independent artists (read the Toronto Star feature here)

Thank you for being part of our 2017/18! You can read the full report here:

2016/17 Annual Report

Generator has published our 2016/17 Annual Report! Our 2016/17 Fiscal Year was September 1, 2016-August 31, 2017.

Kristina and Katie with our 2016/17 Artist Producer Training cohort

Kristina leads an APT session in Spring 2017

Here are some highlights:

• We welcomed nine Artist Producers to the second year of our Artist Producer Training program

• We had a leadership transition—Kristina Lemieux began as Executive Director in January 2017

• We expanded our Resident Company program when Shakespeare in the Ruff and Outside the March weren’t ready to leave after only one year

• We hosted four #UrgentExchange events, exploring critical and timely issues with the arts community

• We co-presented a redesigned S.L.I.P. (SummerWorks Leadership Intensive Program) with SummerWorks in Summer 2017

Kristina and Katie at 2017 S.L.I.P. with SummerWorks’ leader Laura Nanni

Katie leads a self-producing workshop with New Blue in June 2017

Thank you for being a part of our 2017/18 year!

Alison's Top 3 Reasons Why She's Excited about ArtistProducerResource.com

In November 2017, Generator will launch ArtistProducerResource.com. In this video, Project Launch Manager Alison Wong shares the top 3 reasons she is excited to launch this wiki resource.

Generator and ArtistProducerResource.com are supported by Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Government of Canada and Business for the Arts.