About us
Business Skills for Creative Souls is the name of the artists' program at YES Employment + Entrepreneurs (formerly YES). The program is open to artists of all ages and artistic disciplines and offers a range of services to help artists develop the skills, tools and strategies to turn their artistic passion into an economically viable profession. To best meet the diverse and particular needs of our artist clients, this program works closely with other YES Employment + Entrepreneurship departments, which offers workshops and other services pertinent to artists.
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We’ve been made aware of scam emails and posts impersonating organizations like ours. To protect yourself:
✅ Verify the Sender – Always check the sender’s email address or social media profile before engaging.
✅ Look for Red Flags – Be cautious of urgent requests, unusual payment methods, or poor grammar.
✅ Never Share Personal Info – We will never ask for sensitive details like passwords or financial information via email or social media.
✅ Contact Us Directly – If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from us, reach out through our official channels to confirm its legitimacy.
Stay safe and always double-check before you click! 🚨✨
Featured event

Art in the Face of Adversity
VERSION FRANÇAISE CI‑DESSOUS | EN WILL FOLLOW
🎨 « Business Skills for Creative Souls: Art in the Face of Adversity »
📅 24 avril | 🕙 10 h à 18 h (portes à 9 h)
🎤 Animé par Sonali Karnick (CBC)
Une journée pour réfléchir, apprendre et échanger autour des réalités actuelles du milieu artistique—avec des panels, des conférences, des performances et un moment de réseautage.
🔥 Tarif réguliers : En présence 35 $ | En ligne seulement 15 $
🎯 AU PROGRAMME
• Adapter sa pratique à l’ère de l’IA
• Stratégies de santé mentale pour les artistes
• Développer sa visibilité et rejoindre ses publics
• Comprendre le financement et les programmes du CALQ
• Créer après la migration : identité et parcours artistiques
🎤 PANELS & CONVERSATIONS
Avec des artistes et professionnel·le·s du milieu culturel, dont :
Omar Bernal • Caroline Marcoux‑Gendron • Rameez Karim • Gavin Seal • Marianne Berthelette • Nicolas Lachance‑Brais • Simon Peacock • Isabelle Van Grimde • Guillaume Thériault • Kalika Hastings • Équipe YES (Stacey & Caroline)
🎶 PERFORMANCES & MOMENTS SPÉCIAUX
• Veils of Bollywood
• Eleuthera
🎉 Lancement officiel de la version anglaise de Musique Immigration
🤝 RÉSEAUTAGE & COMMUNAUTÉ
Terminez la journée avec un 5 à 7 convivial pour rencontrer d’autres artistes, échanger des idées et créer de nouvelles collaborations.
💻 EN LIGNE OU EN PRÉSENTIEL
Accessible partout au Québec.
🗣 L’événement se déroulera en anglais.
*****
🎨 Business Skills for Creative Souls: Art in the Face of Adversity
📅 April 24 | 🕙 10 AM–6 PM (Doors open at 9 AM)
📍 Unitarian Church of Montreal
💻 Attend in person or online
🗣 Presented in English
👋 WHAT THIS EVENT IS ABOUT
Looking to strengthen your creative practice in a changing world?
This full‑day conference brings artists together to share tools, strategies, and real conversations about AI, mental health, funding, visibility, and artistic identity—with panels, talks, performances, and time to connect.
🔥 Standard pricing: In-person $35 | Online-only $15. Register today!
👥 WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This event is for:
• Artists and creators of all disciplines
• Newcomer artists building community
• Filmmakers and multidisciplinary creatives
• Artists seeking funding, visibility, or business skills
• Anyone curious about the intersection of arts, AI, and wellbeing
✨ This is more than a conference—it’s a space to connect, reflect, and move your creative practice forward.
🔥 Standard pricing: In-person $35 | Online-only $15
🎟 Save your spot today.
Upcoming events
9

Demystifying Business Registration for Artists
·OnlineOnlineIn order to attend this workshop, you must pre-register using this link.
RSVPing on meetup will not grant you access to this workshop.
Are you an artist looking to formalize your creative business but unsure where to start?
This workshop is designed to help you navigate the distinctions between business registration, incorporation and tax numbers along with their legal and accounting implications.
Join us to understand the differences between business registration, incorporation, and tax numbers. Learn the processes involved for each. Gain insights into tax rates and your tax obligations to help you stay compliant. And get clarity on what is mandatory, what is optional, and the right timing for each step.
Prepare to formalize your art business with a clear understanding of the essential steps and requirements.
Formalizing your art business doesn’t have to be daunting. Register today and start building a professional foundation for your creative career.
Pre-registration is required. Available as online streaming webinar.
In order to attend this workshop, you must pre-register using this link.
RSVPing on meetup will not grant you access to this workshop.
Once you register for the online workshop, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log in. If you haven’t received the email an hour before the workshop starts, please check your Spam/Junk folder.
*This low registration fee is only possible thanks to our generous funders and partners.
1 attendee- CA$35.00

Art in the Face of Adversity
The Unitarian Church of Montreal, 5035 de Maisonneuve West, Montréal, QC, CAVERSION FRANÇAISE CI‑DESSOUS | EN WILL FOLLOW
🎨 « Business Skills for Creative Souls: Art in the Face of Adversity »
📅 24 avril | 🕙 10 h à 18 h (portes à 9 h)
🎤 Animé par Sonali Karnick (CBC)Une journée pour réfléchir, apprendre et échanger autour des réalités actuelles du milieu artistique—avec des panels, des conférences, des performances et un moment de réseautage.
🔥 Tarif réguliers : En présence 35 $ | En ligne seulement 15 $
🎯 AU PROGRAMME
• Adapter sa pratique à l’ère de l’IA
• Stratégies de santé mentale pour les artistes
• Développer sa visibilité et rejoindre ses publics
• Comprendre le financement et les programmes du CALQ
• Créer après la migration : identité et parcours artistiques🎤 PANELS & CONVERSATIONS
Avec des artistes et professionnel·le·s du milieu culturel, dont :
Omar Bernal • Caroline Marcoux‑Gendron • Rameez Karim • Gavin Seal • Marianne Berthelette • Nicolas Lachance‑Brais • Simon Peacock • Isabelle Van Grimde • Guillaume Thériault • Kalika Hastings • Équipe YES (Stacey & Caroline)🎶 PERFORMANCES & MOMENTS SPÉCIAUX
• Veils of Bollywood
• Eleuthera
🎉 Lancement officiel de la version anglaise de Musique Immigration🤝 RÉSEAUTAGE & COMMUNAUTÉ
Terminez la journée avec un 5 à 7 convivial pour rencontrer d’autres artistes, échanger des idées et créer de nouvelles collaborations.💻 EN LIGNE OU EN PRÉSENTIEL
Accessible partout au Québec.
🗣 L’événement se déroulera en anglais.*****
🎨 Business Skills for Creative Souls: Art in the Face of Adversity
📅 April 24 | 🕙 10 AM–6 PM (Doors open at 9 AM)
📍 Unitarian Church of Montreal
💻 Attend in person or online
🗣 Presented in English👋 WHAT THIS EVENT IS ABOUT
Looking to strengthen your creative practice in a changing world?
This full‑day conference brings artists together to share tools, strategies, and real conversations about AI, mental health, funding, visibility, and artistic identity—with panels, talks, performances, and time to connect.🔥 Standard pricing: In-person $35 | Online-only $15. Register today!
👥 WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This event is for:
• Artists and creators of all disciplines
• Newcomer artists building community
• Filmmakers and multidisciplinary creatives
• Artists seeking funding, visibility, or business skills
• Anyone curious about the intersection of arts, AI, and wellbeing✨ This is more than a conference—it’s a space to connect, reflect, and move your creative practice forward.
🔥 Standard pricing: In-person $35 | Online-only $15
🎟 Save your spot today.2 attendees 
Jump Start Your Art & Financing Options
YES, 666 Sherbrooke St. W., 7th Floor, Montreal, QC, CAFree Workshop
Please note: In order to attend this workshop, you must register using this link. RSVPing through Meetup will not grant you access to this workshop.
Are you ready to take your artistic passion to the next level and make a sustainable living from your creativity? Jump Start Your Art is the perfect workshop for artists who want to build a business or career around their talent but need guidance on how to get started.
What You’ll Learn at Jump Start Your Art
In this free workshop, we’ll introduce you to the essential tools, resources, and strategies for launching your artistic career. You’ll discover key services offered by YES and other arts organizations in the community, as well as gain valuable insights into the arts industry. We’ll touch upon vital topics such as:
Industry Overview
Learn about the arts industry landscape, its challenges, and opportunities for growth.Marketing and Promotion Tips
Understand how to market your art effectively and reach a wider audience.Building Stakeholder Relationships
Discover the importance of cultivating relationships with galleries, clients, and collaborators.Navigating Funding and Grants
Get essential tips on how to understand the funding landscape and write compelling grant proposals.Personal Consultation for Artistic Growth
After the workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with an experienced artist coach who will help identify which services best suit your specific needs. Whether you’re a new artist or looking to grow your existing practice, our artist coaching is designed to provide personalized guidance and actionable next steps.One-on-One Artist Coaching
A free 15-minute session with a YES Artist Coach is available for new clients to explore the services that can support your journey. Existing clients can use this time to address any small issues in their creative practice or business.In order to attend this workshop, you must register using this link. RSVPing through Meetup will not grant you access to this workshop.
Please Note: Pre-registration is required. This workshop is available in-person and is presented in English.
Once you have registered for the in-person workshop please present yourself at the YES office, situated at 666 Sherbrooke Street West on the 7th floor, 15-30 minutes prior to the start time of the workshop.
Clients wishing to obtain artist services are encouraged to first attend this free workshop.
1 attendee- CA$20.00

The Autonomous Artist: Releasing Music in the Digital Era
·OnlineOnlineENGLISH WILL FOLLOW
Pour participer à cet atelier, vous devez vous inscrire à l’avance en utilisant ce lien.
Prenez les rênes de votre carrière musicale : la diffusion de la musique à l’ère numérique
Êtes-vous prêt·e à prendre les rênes de votre carrière musicale et à vous épanouir en tant qu’artiste indépendant·e ? Dans le paysage numérique en rapide évolution d’aujourd’hui, il est essentiel de maîtriser l’art de la distribution musicale, de la promotion et de la génération de revenus. Rejoignez-nous le mercredi 6 mai, de 18 h 30 à 20 h 30, pour un atelier en ligne intitulé « L’artiste autonome : la diffusion de la musique à l’ère numérique ».
Animé par Stephen Voyce, artiste plusieurs fois récompensé, cet atelier interactif vous fournira les outils et les stratégies nécessaires pour diffuser et promouvoir efficacement votre musique, ainsi que pour explorer diverses sources de revenus.
Principaux thèmes abordés
Diffuser votre musique : la distribution numérique
Apprenez à publier votre musique sur les principales plateformes telles que Spotify, Apple Music et YouTube Music. Découvrez les meilleures pratiques pour choisir un service de distribution numérique, optimiser vos redevances et vous assurer que vos morceaux touchent un public mondial.Promouvoir votre sortie : le bouche-à-oreille et les réseaux sociaux
La promotion est essentielle à votre succès. Apprenez à maîtriser les stratégies qui suscitent l’enthousiasme autour de la sortie de votre musique en exploitant les réseaux sociaux, en interagissant avec vos admirateurs et en tirant parti du bouche-à-oreille pour augmenter votre visibilité.Créer des occasions d’affaires : les sources de revenus multiples
Allez au-delà des redevances de streaming. Découvrez comment générer des revenus grâce aux licences, aux produits dérivés, aux concerts, aux collaborations et plus encore, afin de bâtir une carrière musicale durable.Managers et attachés de presse : quand et pourquoi les engager
Vous envisagez de constituer une équipe ? Apprenez quand il faut engager des managers ou des attachés de presse, comment ils peuvent faire progresser votre carrière et quelle valeur ils apportent à votre réussite globale, tout en préservant votre indépendance.Pourquoi devriez-vous participer à cet atelier ?
Cet atelier est idéal pour les artistes indépendant·e·s qui souhaitent naviguer en toute confiance dans l’industrie musicale. Vous repartirez avec des connaissances pratiques, des mesures concrètes et la confiance nécessaire pour prendre le contrôle de votre carrière musicale.Conférencier : Stephen Voyce, artiste multidistinctionné
Ne manquez pas cette occasion d’élever votre parcours musical!
L’inscription préalable est obligatoire. Cet atelier est offert en anglais et est disponible en ligne sous forme de webinaire en direct.Pour les participants en ligne, vous recevrez un courriel avec les instructions de connexion quelques heures avant le début de l’atelier. Si vous ne voyez pas le courriel une heure avant le début, veuillez vérifier votre dossier Courrier indésirable ou Spam.
Ce faible coût d’inscription est rendu possible grâce à la générosité de nos bailleurs de fonds et partenaires.
*****
Are you ready to take control of your music career and thrive as an independent artist? In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, mastering the art of music distribution, promotion, and revenue generation is essential. Join us on Wednesday, May 6, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, for an online workshop, "The Autonomous Artist: Releasing Music in the Digital Era."
Led by Stephen Voyce, a multi-award-winning recording artist, this interactive session will provide you with the tools and strategies to successfully release your music, promote it effectively, and explore diverse revenue streams.
Key Topics Covered
Releasing Your Music: Digital Distribution
Learn how to release your music across top platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Discover the best practices for choosing a digital distribution service, optimizing royalties, and ensuring your tracks reach a global audience.Promoting Your Release: Word of Mouth and Social Media
Promotion is critical to your success. Master strategies for building excitement around your music release using social media, engaging with fans, and leveraging word-of-mouth campaigns to amplify your reach.Creating Opportunities: Multiple Revenue Streams
Go beyond streaming royalties. Explore how to generate income through licensing, merchandise, live performances, collaborations, and more, building a sustainable career in music.Managers and Publicists: When and Why to Hire
Considering building a team? Learn when to hire managers or publicists, how they can boost your career, and the value they bring to your overall success without compromising your independence.Why You Should Attend
This workshop is perfect for independent artists looking to navigate the music industry confidently. You’ll walk away with practical knowledge, actionable steps, and the confidence to take control of your music career.
Don’t miss this chance to elevate your music journey. Register today!Speaker: Stephen Voyce, Multi-Award-Winning Recording Artist
Pre-registration is required. This workshop is presented in English and is available as an online, live-streaming webinar.
For online participants, you will receive an email with login instructions a few hours before the workshop starts. If you don’t see the email one hour before the start time, please check your Spam or Junk folder.
*This low registration fee is only possible thanks to our generous funders and partners.
In order to attend this workshop, you must pre-register using this link.
RSVPing on meetup will not grant you access to this workshop.
Once you register for the online workshop, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log in. If you haven’t received the email an hour before the workshop starts, please check your Spam/Junk folder.
1 attendee
Past events
521
