Financial Literacy

From budgeting basics to HST, this program uses theory and practical tools to teach the fundamentals of financial management for creatives.

This program is offered in two streams:

Financial Literacy for Independent Artists
January 16 - February 27, 2024
Financial Literacy for Non-Profit Workers
Next program coming in fall 2024!

About the Program

Over 14 hours of training with Generator, you’ll develop skills in financial planning and basic project accounting, build a financial system specific to your capacity and needs, and gain the confidence to expand those systems as your career grows over time.

The program will be taught by Generator’s Financial Literacy Consultants Kristina Lemieux and Audrey Quinn, Natasha Mytnowych, and Chris Enns. Instructors will be available for thirty minutes before each class to answer any questions. In addition to class time, all participants will have access to bookable Financial Joy office hours on Zoom from October-June.

Financial Literacy will be delivered over Zoom in 2022/23 and is open to participants Canada-wide.

The program is designed for synchronous learning and is highly participatory. We strongly recommend that participants attend each session at the designated dates/times. While recordings of select sessions may be available upon request, we do not typically share recordings without consent from all participants, due to the nature of the sensitive information shared in program sessions.

Access to Google Sheets and/or Microsoft Excel is required.

Two Streams to Choose From

Learn more

Financial Literacy for Independent Artists

January 16 - February 27, 2024 (Tuesdays from 6-8pm ET)
$200

If you’re a freelancer who files your taxes as a self-employed person/sole proprietor, this is the stream for you. We’ll cover tax-deductible expenses, invoicing, incorporation, and when to register for an HST number.

Financial Literacy for Non-Profit Workers

Next program coming in fall 2024!

If you work at a non-profit organization, or aim to do so in the future, and wish to understand more about the inner workings of organizational finances, this is the stream you want. We’ll cover paying people, basic project accounting, tax and HST filings, and managing cash flow.

Testimonials

Financial Literacy has been running since 2018. Here’s what past participants have had to say about their experiences in the program:

Testimonials

Brian Postalian

“I took Generator's Financial Literacy course in order to gain a firmer grasp on how to read, review, and respond to the financial statements and position of the arts organizations and clients I work with. I found the program insightful and illuminating. As instructors, Kristina and Audrey are kind, curious, and creative collaborators who aren't just there to teach the one-best-way to do things, but support and guide us in our own challenges we're encountering at work and in our practice. No question was too stupid, no challenge was too silly. You also end up learning from and bonding with the other participants over the several weeks together. There was so much to digest that I want to return later on after I put into practice many of the things I learned.”

Deborah Lim

“Generator’s financial literacy course is an excellent tool and platform to bridge the gap between academic education and/or self-taught producing experience to producing and working professionally. All the educators are very knowledgeable and generous in tailoring their knowledge and experiences to the group’s individual projects and goals. When I started Generator’s Financial Literacy program, I was new to my job as fu-GEN Theatre’s administrator. The course has armed me with greater confidence and efficiency in approaching my job.”

Alyssa Pothier

“The Financial Literacy course at Generator was a game changer. As a recent theatre school graduate, and an actor with multiple streams of income, I had no idea where to begin. The team at Generator was so helpful and patient, all of my beginner-level questions were welcomed with open arms, and they did a fabulous job of providing tools which leave me feeling confident in my ability to budget and file my own taxes moving forward. Most importantly, I'm leaving the program feeling in control of my relationship with money. I'm so grateful for the Jordan Merchano Bursary, which allowed me to take this class without any financial strain. I recommend this program to anyone and everyone who is feeling intimidated by their finances, and is ready to take control of their life again.”

Rohan Dhupar

“Generator’s Financial Literacy program was instrumental in my entry into self-producing and arts management. I was less than one year out of theatre school with a strong desire to produce my own work when I [participated in] the program, and found myself missing some crucial logistic skills and knowledge in order to begin doing so. Financial Literacy was crucial in developing my understanding of budgeting, taxes, reporting, analyzing and so many other financial skills needed when producing on a project-to-project basis as well as in an organizational context. In the year since, I have co-founded my own collective, produced five digital theatre projects including a production for the 2021 Toronto Fringe, and graduated from the Graduate Diploma in Arts Management program at Queen’s University. Above all, Generator maintained a safe and stimulating environment that supported the learning of folks from all backgrounds and experience levels. Financial Literacy truly set me up for success, and I am incredibly grateful for Generator’s ongoing work and support.”

Susanna Fournier

"10 years ago I graduated from theatre school with the skills I needed to become an actor, but no financial management training. Navigating my personal finances as an indie artist was complicated enough, thinking about managing production budgets was stressful and intimidating. The financial literacy program at Generator is a guided tour through financial administration (with humour and humanity) - it's comprehensive without being overwhelming. The focus on practical application allowed me time to incorporate what I was learning into my project and life. Being able to explore the different financial planning tools available to me with the instructors gave me the confidence to choose the right system for me. I'd recommend this program to anyone who wants to go from feeling stressed about finances to feeling prepared and in control."

Rachel Penny

"As an arts manager who has been largely self-taught in the area of financial administration, this program helped affirm and expand my learning and gave a safe space to ask "stupid" questions. No matter your experience level, you will walk away from this program with immediately applicable skills that will make you a better producer."

Emma Westray

"In the year since I participated in the pilot version of this program, I have experienced a myriad of professional challenges that I was able to overcome thanks to the skills I learned and the tools I gained in this program. I have been able to pursue roles in larger companies both as a producer and as a general manager because of my new found confidence with financial literacy. The combination of group learning and one-on-one consultation make it possible for you to cater the program to you and your career. There are always new skills to learn, but I can honestly say that Generator's Financial Literacy is the foundation of my knowledge and has served me well."

Mikaela Demers

"Generator's Financial Literacy Progam provided the opportunity for me to learn concrete skills and a safe space to have conceptual conversations. I walked away from the program with tools to use for future projects and a support system to put learned concepts in practice. Beyond increasing my financial literacy, this program helped me to connect my creative work to a thorough plan, moving ideas from conception to implementation."

Deanna Galati

"As someone just beginning her career in arts management, I found this series of courses invaluable to my professional development. My takeaways from this program will be carried with me for many years to come as I continue my professional practice. I highly recommend Generator's Financial Literacy Program for all folks who work, or are interested in working, in arts administration - it is beneficial for people at all stages of their careers."