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CALL FOR THE THOUGHT NETWORK
Announcement and call for applications
Generator is thrilled to announce the inaugural Thought Network Residency.
The Thought Network is a paid, multistream research residency empowering artist-producers to explore urgent questions in the performing arts sector.
Thought Network: Artist-Producer Research Residency & Symposium
Announcement and call for applications
Generator is thrilled to announce the inaugural Thought Network Residency.
SUMMARY
The Thought Network is a paid, multistream research residency empowering artist-producers to explore urgent questions in the performing arts sector.
We are seeking applications for:
Researchers-in-Residence (3)
Designers-in-Residence (3)
Applications open on December 3, 2025 and close January 12, 2026 (11:59pm ET).
Designer-in-Residence Applications have been extended to January 20, 2026 (9am ET)
Anyone who creates and/or produces performing arts work in Canada, professionally and/or in community contexts, is eligible to apply.
The program runs from March to September, 2026.
POSTING FORMATS
Thought Network Details (word document)
Thought Network Details - Yellow Highlight (PDF)
Researcher-in-Residence: Details & Application Process - FULL QUESTIONS (word document)
Designer-in-Residence: Details & Application Process - FULL QUESTIONS (word document)
ABOUT
We believe that artist-producers are well positioned to envision and enact progressive change in performing arts practice, the performing arts industry, and beyond. The Thought Network Residency is intended to empower those working in live performance, as creators and/or producers, to invest time and attention in investigating the most urgent questions they have identified while engaged in their practice.
Participants will receive support through the residency process, including facilitated coaching sessions, mentorship, peer support sessions, and a research/materials budget.
The residency findings and creations will be shared at the Thought Network Symposium (June 9 2026, Toronto), as well as in a series of public resources created by the Residents in collaboration with Generator’s staff and community.
LINEAGE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The Thought Network is a result of years of organizational commitment to a more just and intentional performing arts landscape. It evolved from a confluence of learnings and past activities, including: experimentation into artist-producer-led research via Generator’s Artist Producer Lab (2024 and 2025); the Producing Spectrum research project and symposium, led by Undercurrent Creations in partnership with Generator and the Theatre Centre (2024); Generator’s Artist-Producer Racial Innovation Cohort (2023); the need for iterative artist-producer spaces identified through Bianca Guimarães's conversations with artist-producers (2022); and Nikki Shaffeullah's sector research and leadership in projects like Stages of Transformation at the NAC - English Theatre (2020-2023).
The inaugural Thought Network Residency and Symposium is made possible thanks to funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Toronto Arts Council, and partnership from the Theatre Centre.
QUESTIONS
Please direct any questions to Director of Communications, Patricia Allison, at patricia@generatorto.com.
Researcher-in-Residence: Details & Application Process
APPLICATIONS CLOSED
SCOPE OF RESEARCH RESIDENCY
We invite applications from performing arts artists-producers who have uncovered urgent questions about the sector in the course of their practice. While candidates with research experience are welcome to apply, you do not need prior research experience, nor academic training, to be considered for this program. We are looking for candidates who have a clear question about the performing arts sector, and who are strongly compelled to investigate it. Researchers will receive mentorship and resources throughout the 7-month, part-time residency, including support in refining their research question and methods. Each of the three Thought Network Researchers-in-Residence will be paired with a Designer-in-Residence, who will create an artistic response to the researcher’s work.
KEY INFORMATION
There are three Researcher-in-Residence spots available.
The Researcher-in-Residence program runs part time from March-September 2026.
Applicants can be based anywhere in Canada.
The program will run primarily online.
Researchers are expected to participate in the Thought Network Symposium on June 9, 2026 in Toronto. Travel costs will be covered by Generator.
Stipend: $7,500 per researcher (plus mentorship, research expenses of up to ~$1,000, and additional resources).
Applications are due January 12, 2026, at 11:59pm ET.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview in later January or early February 2026.
ENVISIONING YOUR APPLICATION
We are seeking Researcher-in-Residence proposals that explore urgent questions born out of applicants’ own experiences working as an artist and/or producer in the performing arts. In dreaming up a proposal, interested applicants are invited to reflect on: What tensions surface in your work - and which ones do so repeatedly? In what ways do artistic impulses, producing realities, and collaborative processes come into conflict with each other? What stands to be gained by investigating these tensions?
We are curious about research questions that engage with, for example:
How institutional prerogatives interact with artsworkers’ agency in performing arts creation and producing.
The capacity and desire of the performing arts in Canada to respond to regional, national, and global geopolitical events.
The relationship between state systems (e.g. granting programs, charitable models, non-profit designation, etc) and artistic freedom.
How social issues (e.g. healthcare access, housing stability) impact the lives, careers, and professional activities of performing arts workers.
Visioning alternate practices in performing arts creation and production.
Indigenous and/or diasporic approaches to performing arts creation and producing.
The study and analysis of existing, lesser-known performing arts creation/production practices that challenge the industry status quo in noteworthy ways.
The application form will ask you to discuss three main aspects of your proposal:
What is the question you would like to investigate?
What are your preliminary ideas of how you might go about this research process? (For example, do you plan to interview specific people, conduct surveys, analyze existing materials, undertake an arts-based research process, etc.)
How could your research project impact the performing arts sector?
ASSESSMENT
Applications will be assessed by a committee consisting of Generator staff and community members.
Applications will be assessed based on three general criteria:
Merit: the research question is well thought out, relevant to the sector, and innovative.
Viability: the proposal is of a reasonable scope and scale relative to the parameters (time, resources, etc) of the research residency.
Impact: the fruits of the project will positively impact the performing arts sector, and in particular advance equity, accessibility, and progressive change.
Additionally, the committee will consider proposals in terms of potential resonance with the approaches and aesthetics of shortlisted candidates from the designer-in-residence stream.
Up to 10 shortlisted Researcher-in-Residence applicants will be invited to an interview, which will take place online in late January/early February 2026.
Applicants who are invited to an interview, and who are not ultimately selected for the program, will receive a $100 honorarium to acknowledge the time invested in the process. Additionally, they will have the option to receive a one-on-one mentorship session with a Generator staff member to support them in finding other venues or resources to support their research goals
Designer-in-Residence: Details & Application Process
SCOPE OF DESIGN RESIDENCY
We invite applications from designers (theatre designers, installation artists, etc) who are interested in creating exploratory artistic responses to sector research questions. Each of the three Designers-in-Residence will be paired with a Thought Network Researcher-in-Residence. Designers will receive resources and support to create an artistic companion piece (response, reflection, and/or representation) to each research process. Designers can be practicing in any visual and/or audio medium.
KEY INFORMATION
There are three Designer-in-Residence spots available.
The Designer-in-Residence program runs from April-June 2026.
Applicants can be based anywhere in Canada.
Stipend: $2,500 per designer (plus mentorship, materials budget, and additional resources).
Designers will attend a series of meetings with Thought Network researchers and Generator staff in April-May 2026.
Designers will receive resources to undertake a creation process (in their hometown) to develop their artistic response piece in May-June 2026
The work created by the designers in the Thought Network residency will be presented at the Thought Network Symposium on June 9, 2026 in Toronto. Generator will cover any necessary travel expenses.
Applications are due January 12, 2026, at 11:59pm ET.
ASSESSMENT
Applications will be assessed by a committee of Generator staff and community members
Applications will be assessed based on three general criteria:
The artistic quality of the applicants’ design portfolio
Approach: the relevance and viability of the designer’s approach to the intersections of design, research, and/or social change
Group fit: the potential resonance between the designer’s approach and the proposals of shortlisted researcher-in-residence applicants
CALL FOR THE 25/26 PRODUCER DEVELOPMENT UNIT
Introducing the Producer Development Unit (PDU)! This is a year-long program from October 2025 to June 2026 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:
The Producer Development Unit (PDU) is a space for early career arist-producers to grow, connect, and thrive in the performing arts industry. This is a flexible program that offers targeted support, resources and opportunities, while prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity. PDU participants receive first access to professional development opportunities, opportunities to speak with sector leaders, free mentorship sessions, and complimentary tickets to performances and industry events. Activities will take place both online, in person in Toronto, and in person at locations across Ontario.
Program Features
One-on-One Mentorships: Benefit from up to three personalized mentorship sessions tailored to your needs.
VIP event Tickets: Enjoy free invitations industry events, including Generator's Spark Night and the 2026 Thought Network symposium
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.
Opportunities Updates: Receive regular PDU newsletters 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, 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 previously had limited access to Generator’s resources or formal producer training.
Program Timeline
Applications open Thursday October 16 2025
Application Deadline: Sunday November 2 11:59pm
All Applicants Notified: Friday November 7
Program orientation: Monday November 17, 6-7pm ET (online)
Program runs: November 2025 - June 2026
How to Apply:
Please complete and submit this Google form by 11:59 PM on Sunday, Nov 2 2025.
To help us get to know you better, please choose ONE of the following response options:
Option 1: Write your responses directly in this 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 Nikki at nikki@generatorto.com
Selection Process:
Applications will be reviewed by Generator's staff. 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.
If you have any questions , please reach out to Nikki at nikki@generatorto.com
Call for Participants: Edit-A-Thon 2025 Editors
**APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED! Thank you to all who applied. You will be hearing from us shortly.
The beloved ArtistProducerResource.com is moving to a new site! The fun part? We’re doing it manually. It’s very exciting but also time-consuming. So, we’re collecting a cohort of passionate editors to help with a coordinated heavy lift to move the site.
On February 14th, 2025, from 10 AM to 5 PM, we will gather in the boardroom at the Generator Offices for a good old-fashioned Edit-A-Thon. This is a paid opportunity at $25/hour. There will be snacks, jokes, and a generally good time. Note: There will also be approximately one hour of preparation required in advance, to be completed at home and on your own time, to familiarize yourself with the transfer process.
To apply to be one of these editors, please fill out the application below. We are looking to engage 7–8 editors. If we receive more applications than that from keen and available individuals, we will select names through a lottery. Applications are due by Thursday, January 23rd, 2025, at Noon. Successful applicants will be notified by Friday, January 24th, 2025, at 4 PM.
Experience Level: You don’t need to be a computer programmer! If you feel confident navigating the internet, setting up a social media profile, or uploading a video to YouTube, you’ll do just fine. We’ve made the process super easy.
Location: We are looking for the majority of editors to be located in Toronto, Ontario and available on-site for ease of answering questions, etc. However, ArtistProducerResource.com is a national resource. Are you out of town but still keen to participate? Apply and let us know where you’re located! We will have a limited number of spots available for out-of-town participants.