What we’re about
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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Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Demystifying Business Registration for ArtistsLink visible for attendees
In 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.
- The Autonomous Artist: Releasing Music in the Digital EraLink visible for attendeesCA$20.00
In 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 independent musician looking to take full control of your music career? Join us for The Autonomous Artist: Releasing Music in the Digital Era, an empowering workshop led by Stephen Voyce, a multi-award-winning recording artist with extensive experience navigating the ever-changing music industry.
In this interactive session, you’ll gain practical tools and insights to successfully distribute your music, promote your releases, and unlock new streams of income.
Whether you're an emerging artist or an established musician looking to refine your approach, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge to thrive in today’s digital landscape.
What You’ll Learn
Releasing Your Music: Digital Distribution
Discover how to get your music onto major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Learn the ins and outs of digital distribution, including choosing the right services, understanding royalties, and ensuring your music reaches a global audience.Word of Mouth: Promoting Your Release
Effective promotion is the key to getting your music heard. Explore proven strategies for building buzz around your release, from leveraging social media to engaging with your fanbase and fostering authentic word-of-mouth support.Creating Opportunities: Multiple Sources of Income
Go beyond traditional revenue streams! Learn how to diversify your income as a musician by exploring opportunities like licensing, merchandise, live streaming, and collaborations.Managers and Publicists: When and Why
Not sure if you need a team? Get expert advice on when it’s time to bring in managers, publicists, or other industry professionals, and understand how they can help you grow your career without losing your independence.Take charge of your future as an autonomous artist and gain the skills to navigate the digital era with confidence.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an award-winning artist and transform your music career.
Speaker: Stephen Voyce, Multi-Award-Winning Recording Artist
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.
- Jump Start Your Art & Financing OptionsLink visible for attendees
Free 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: This workshop is available as an online, live-streaming webinar. Individuals wishing to obtain entrepreneurship services are encouraged to first attend this free workshop.
Once you have registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to log on a few hours prior to the start time of the workshop.
- Grant Writing Essentials – Two-Part Mini SeriesYES, Montreal, QCCA$35.00
Cost: $35.00*
In order to attend this workshop, you must pre-register using this link.
RSVPing on meetup will not grant you access to this workshop.
This two-part mini-series is designed to help artists gain the necessary business know-how to start their ventures on the right foot. It focuses on essential grant-writing techniques, including crafting a persuasive “pitch,” budgeting, timelines, and other handy tips to help you turn out grant applications that are as strong and outstanding as your work. Develop your artistic practice or business strategically in order to see real growth now.
Part 1: The Pitch
Wednesday, June 11: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PMYour art has potential - now you must represent it on paper in a way that will captivate the reader. In the first part of this series, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling, context-rich pitch that jumps off the page to effectively illustrate the true value of your art project. Starting with an essential grant-writing check-list, you'll understand how to represent your work with clarity and persuasion.
Part 2: Budgets and Timelines
Wednesday, June 18: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PMAll winning grant applications include cohesive, well-thought-out budgets and timelines that accurately illustrate the project from both a time and financial perspective. In this session, we'll focus on developing a set of best practices for crafting budgets and timelines that enhance your future grant applications and drive results.
Speaker:
Caroline Gauthier, YES Artist Business CoachPre-registration is required.
In order to attend this workshop, you must pre-register using this link.
RSVPing on meetup will not grant you access to this workshop.
This workshop is available in person as well as an online, live-streaming webinar.
If you registered for the in-person workshop, please arrive at the YES office, located at 666 Sherbrooke Street West, 7th floor, 15–30 minutes before the workshop begins.
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.
