Financial Literacy

Open Lottery: Financial Literacy for Independent Artists

Sponsored by the Jordan Mechano Bursary Fund for 2025

We are excited to announce that the upcoming session of Financial Literacy for Independent Artists will be fully funded by the Jordan Mechano Financial Literacy Bursary. This iteration of one of Generators staple programs will be free of charge for all participants for Jan-Feb 2025 only. We are offering 30 spots to the community and will be choosing by lottery. Read the full description here

Tuesdays, January 14th to February 25th, 2025
Times: 6 - 8 pm EST
Location: Google Meets (online)

 

Generator’s Financial Literacy program equips creatives with the essential tools for managing their finances, whether you work as an independent artist or within a non-profit organization.

 

Program Overview

In both the Financial Literacy for Non-Profit Workers and the Financial Literacy for Individuals streams, you’ll gain practical skills in:

  • Budgeting basics

  • Tax management (HST, GST, income tax)

  • Financial planning

  • Project accounting

Each stream offers over 14 hours of live, interactive training delivered via Google Meet.

After completing the program, you'll gain access to Financial Joy office hours (October to June), where you can book personalized coaching sessions to address specific challenges you're facing. See description and booking calendars below

Which stream is for you?

Financial Literacy for Non-Profit Workers

Designed for those working in or aspiring to join the non-profit sector, this stream covers tax filings, project accounting, payroll, and cash flow management. The next program starts on October 24, 2024
Learn More

Financial Literacy for Independent Artists

Tailored for those who file taxes as a freelancer or self-employed creative, this stream will guide you through invoicing, tax-deductible expenses, incorporation, and when to register for an HST number. The next program starts on January 16, 2025
Learn More

Both Programs Offer

No matter the stream you choose, each participant will benefit from:

  • 14 hours of live, online training via Google Meet

  • Instructor support: Consultants are available 30 minutes before each session to answer questions.

  • Financial Joy office hours: One-on-one consultations available October through June.

  • Tools & Templates: You’ll receive customizable Google Sheets or Excel templates to help manage finances, budgeting, and project accounting.

  • You will need: A computer with internet access, and either Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel is necessary for the program.

Program Instructors

Our Financial Literacy Consultants include:

(bios coming soon)

  • Kristina Lemieux 

  • Audrey Quinn 

  • Bianca Guimarães

  • Natasha Mytnowych

  • Chris Enns (Independent Artist Stream Only)

Accessibility Information

This program is designed to be highly participatory and primarily follows a synchronous learning model, delivered online. We understand that engagement and attention can vary from person to person, so participants are encouraged to take care of themselves and their bodies throughout the sessions. You are welcome to move, stretch, or take breaks as needed.

Recordings of certain sessions may be made available upon request, but due to the sensitive nature of shared financial information, they will only be shared with consent from all participants.

Closed captioning will be available during all sessions. Generator is committed to being a low-barrier organization, and we encourage participants to communicate any access needs. We will make every effort to meet them.

Please note that the program covers topics related to finances, which can sometimes be challenging depending on one’s personal experiences or relationship with money. Our facilitators strive to create a supportive environment, ensuring participants feel comfortable and respected throughout the process.

If you have any concerns or additional needs, please don't hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help make your learning experience as accessible as possible.

Please, let bianca@generatorto.com know your access needs.

Financial Joy Office Hours

Book a Session (only available for past and current Financial Literacy participants)
In addition to class time, all participants have access to Financial Joy office hours from October through June. These one-on-one sessions offer individualized support for tackling specific financial questions or projects.

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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."

Questions

Email bianca@generatorto.com