No Deadline—Submit Anytime
Generator recognizes that producing is a creative practice. We reject the binary that separates “boring, efficient office worker” from “passionate, clueless creative” and embrace the exciting, fertile and collaborative space where arts management and live performance meet. We enthusiastically invite submissions from individuals from a diversity of practices and professional backgrounds who want to participate in Generator’s collaborative culture. We prioritize applications from folks from equity-seeking groups, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Trans, Nonbinary, Queer, Disabled and intersections of those identities.
Board Members
As Generator looks to the next chapter of our work building the capacity and resilience of the independent performance sector, we are seeking new board members. Incoming board members will help inform Generator’s next transformation, including a leadership transition and governance review.
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for people who are passionate about making life better for independent artists in Toronto. We are committed to bringing a strong lens of racial justice to the organization’s strategic direction, and are prioritizing IBPOC applicants who can bring their living and learned experience to guide Generator’s support of the next generation of independent performance-makers.
The nature of Generator’s current period of transition means that we are looking for people who are able to bring a hands-on, collaborative approach to governance. We are also open to applicants who may only be able to commit to a shorter term of service (18 months at least).
Generator is a non-profit organization, funded in large part by national, provincial, and municipal arts councils. As such, Generator board members are volunteers.
About Generator
Generator is a mentoring, teaching, and innovation incubator that expands the skills, tools, and competencies of independent artists, producers and leaders. Our current suite of programs includes Artist Producer Training, ArtistProducerResource.com, Resident Companies and Company Collaborators, and Financial Literacy.
Generator was founded as STAF (Small Theatre Administrative Facility) in 1991, and has existed in the current model since 2015. For more information, please refer to the History and About pages on our website. You may also be interested in our Work Culture, Programs, and Annual Reports.
Organizational Transition
After four years under the leadership of Lead Producer Kristina Lemieux, Generator is looking towards the next phase of our operations. Generator’s programs have evolved through iteration; the organization has grown into a vital resource and connector for the Toronto performance sector, and our online tools have expanded substantially (they are currently accessed by 12,000 artist producers each year across Canada and internationally). After carefully cultivating the seedling organization into its current manifestation and growing a community around it, Kristina plans to transition out of her role in the Summer of 2021.
Generator has also more recently been called on to take a critical look at our role in upholding white supremacy culture and values in our operations and programs. In August 2020, we engaged facilitator Zainab Amadahy to review recent iterations of our training programs and operations through the lens of racial justice. Feedback emphasized two important points: i) a firm belief in the valuable impact Generator’s programs can have on independent artists’ careers and well-being, and ii) the urgent need to reevaluate our programs and operations through a lens of racial equity to order to fully embody our values of anti-oppression and care. More information on this process, including a public version of the report, is available here.
As we look toward Generator’s future, the board and leadership are committed to implementing recommendations developed from the feedback offered by our communities. This board recruitment process is part of a long term plan to introduce a broader spectrum of voices into our leadership and governance.
Leadership Transition
As Kristina transitions out of her role as Lead Producer, the Board’s role will be to help establish the strategic framework for the future of Generator, engage in the leadership search process, and create the conditions for a new leader to thrive. Once the position has been filled, the Board will work to support the new leadership’s vision and advocate for the organization in the broader community.
Governance Review
In spring 2021, Generator will be initiating work with a group of Strategic Advisors. This advisory body will be working closely with Board Member Brendan McMurtry-Howlett, who is leading the initiative, as well as other board members who will join their activities as they are able.
One of the main tasks of the Strategic Advisors will be to work with the board on envisioning and enacting a new governance model to better represent the performance community’s needs. As a consequence, part of the work for incoming, as well as existing, Generator board members, may be to make themselves dispensable; joining this board may mean a shorter commitment if the new model developed requires different members or an alternative structure.
Our Current Board
ted witzel, Theatre Maker / Artistic Strategist - Chair (he/him)
Claire Burns, Arts Administrator / Artist - Treasurer (she/her)
Quinn Harris, Lawyer - Secretary (she/her)
James Foy, Lawyer - Director (he/him)
Brendan McMurtry-Howlett, Theatre Maker - Director (he/him)
Generator Staff
Lead Producer: Kristina Lemieux (she/her)
Communications Producer: Annie Clarke (she/her)
Training Consultant: Sedina Fiati (she/her, they/them)
Online Content Producer: Keshia Palm (she/her)
Financial Literacy Consultant: Audrey Quinn (she/her)
To Apply
Please email an expression of interest to board@generatorto.com.
This call for applications was written by ted witzel, with input from Generator’s board and staff.