Culture
Generator is a mentoring, teaching, and innovation incubator that expands the skills, tools, and competencies of independent artists, producers and leaders. From intensive programs to online tools, Generator is transforming the role of the artist producer one artist at a time.
We are a values-based organization, working to change the way we make artistic work in this country, so that the arts can be a welcoming, sustainable sector, underpinned by systems of resource sharing and mutual support.
Who we serve (what we mean when we say independent performance community)
Generator works with individual artists, collectives, and non-profits who:
Complete or work on 1-2 live performance projects/year (including workshops)
Have a small budget for annual operating costs and 0-3 staff or year-round contractors
Receive - at most - project-based funding or one level of government operating/composite funding
These artists have enough experience to know what they need to know more about, and work on projects frequently enough to immediately apply the skills and ideas that come from being in our programs.
Principles
Creativity
We are creative people with active creative practices. Creativity and collaboration are ingrained in all of our systems and programs. We promote artistic entrepreneurship at all fronts and foster that growth with the artists we work with.
Reciprocity
We are investing in creating a common cause: a web of individuals in our programs that collectively ensures all those within it are living the lives in the arts they want to have, and are working together to create a sector we are proud of. More than just networking, we are offering a sense of community that lends thoughtfulness and resources.
Learning
We are a learning-based organization. We believe in sideways learning, finding sources of knowledge all around us and in each other. We approach knowledge with curiosity and we listen in order to understand. We strive to share and propagate good information that is current, responsive, and clear. In all our learning, we work toward skill development and practical application, underpinned by theory.
Accountability
We are highly motivated, tenacious people, that expect a lot of ourselves and the artists we work with. We feel a great sense of duty to the artists in our programs and know that they have high expectations of us. We believe in setting our sights on a goal, making a commitment to it and working to ensure the quality of the work brings us pride and joy. We do what is needed to achieve these goals and use the resources (human, time, cash, and otherwise) afforded to us effectively and with care. We use recognition and critical feedback to support each other in finding our learning edge and identifying creative solutions.
Solution-Focused and Iterative
We move from problem to solution through iterative and responsive systems that constantly change based on new information from the individuals within them and the sector around us. Our systems are predicated on people taking risks, sharing failures and successes and using them as a jumping-off point for the next risk. Knowledge and insight we gain are shared widely. Solutions aim to be highly responsive to immediate needs while also laying the foundation for future goals and problem solving.
Individual-focused
Generator creates singular programs that are responsive to the needs of the artist through Individualized, rather than standardized material; this includes one-on-one, or small team-focused interactions. This human connection is central to how we interact with our participants. We recognize that it takes time and patience to meet humans where they are, and all our programs have this built into their resource structure.
Anti-Oppression, Intersectionality and Social Justice
We work from the knowledge available to us and to our communities to create spaces that are safe(r). We work to unlearn the skills and biases that colonialism and white supremacy have taught us, and to frame new conversations and ways of being.
Recognition
We take the time to recognize the accomplishments, big and small, of the individuals in our programs and work spaces. Much of the work that goes into producing is silent and invisible outside our community and we believe it is worth honouring. We appreciate and value our colleagues and we make an effort to vocalize that.
Workplace Culture
Generator is a highly collaborative, team-based workplace. The Generator staff share space with several other collectives and organizations through our Resident Company and Company Collaborator programs. We work in an open space environment where we often pause our work to come together to ask for support, collaborate, discuss current events, or watch a YouTube video. This fun and thoughtful environment drives our efforts to make a positive impact on the performance sector and the lives of artists. Generator staff work on a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of our programs and our external passions. We support each other in achieving work/work/life balance and workdays that support our lives outside of work. We encourage staff to have active, creative, passionate lives in addition to their work here as we know this fuels Generator. As an organization committed to learning and well-being, we offer a Wellness Fund, paid vacation, and Professional Development Fund to all staff.
Our Safe(r) Spaces Policy
At Generator, a safe(r) space is a supportive, non-threatening environment that encourages open-mindedness, respect, a willingness to learn from others, as well as physical and mental safety.
Read our Safe(r) Spaces Policy here. Each program reviews this policy annually. Program participants also create a Community Agreement that outlines, amongst many things, measures and procedures to help us all create safe(r) spaces, including ways to summon immediate assistance, resolve conflict, report incidents, and/or raise concerns.