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NEW! Business Skills for Creative Souls Artists Conference: Art in the Face of Adversity
Register for the Business Skills for Creative Soul Artists Conference and Grow Your Creative Career
📅 Friday, April 24, 2026
🕒 10 AM – 6 PM (Doors open at 9 AM + networking mixer)
📍 Unitarian Church of Montreal (near Vendôme Metro)
Experience a full day of learning, connection, and growth alongside industry experts like Gavin Seal, Simon Peacock, and Isabelle Van Grimde.
Gain the tools you need to adapt, fund your work, and build visibility in today’s rapidly evolving creative landscape.
🔥 Why Attend?
- Adapt your creative practice to the age of AI
- Learn practical funding strategies (including CALQ insights)
- Increase your visibility and grow your audience
- Support your mental health as a creative professional
- Build meaningful connections with artists and industry leaders
🎤 Featured Speakers, Experts, Performers
- Sonali Karnick (Conference host) – All in a Weekend | CBC
- Amanda Wanis – Program Officer at the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ)
- Caroline Marcoux‑Gendron — Founder | Musique Immigration
- Eleuthera Diconca‑Lippert – Singer / Songwriter / Choir Director
- Fred Azeredo – Brazilian radio and theatre writer‑director | Trellis Microgrants Project Coordinator (ELAN)
- Gavin Seal — Award‑winning filmmaker, director, producer, and writer
- Guillaume Thériault — Multidisciplinary arts, travel grants (multidisciplinary arts), comedy | CALQ
- Isabelle Van Grimde — Artistic Director
- Kalika Hastings — Publicist and Brand Strategist
- Marianne Berthelette — Secretary and Director of Support and Training Services | Centre psychologique pour artistes
- Nicolas Lachance‑Brais – Concept Artist / 3D Generalist / Unreal Engine (UE) Artist
- Omar Bernal — Visual Artist
- Rameez Karim — Dancer, Founder | Veils of Bollywood
- Simon Peacock — Actor and President | ACTRA Montreal
Click here for more information on our host, speakers and performers.
🔥 Cost to attend
In‑person $35 | Online‑only $15
🚀 Take Action Now
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with Montreal’s creative community.
🧠 Event Schedule Highlights
10:00 AM — Welcome
With Gonzalo Caloma, Interim Executive Director, YES
10:15 AM – PERFORMANCE: Veils of Bollywood – Rameez Karim
10:25 AM — PANEL: Building an Artistic Life After Migration
With Omar Bernal, Caroline Marcoux-Gendron, and Rameez Karim, explore how to redefine your artistic identity in a new cultural context. Moderated by: Fred Azeredo (ELAN)
11:30 AM – Creative Work and Mental Health
With Marianne Berthelette, gain tools to navigate the psychological challenges of creative work.
12:00 PM – Musique Immigration Launch
12:15 PM – Lunch Break
1:15 PM — Money Models for Filmmakers
Discover practical strategies with Gavin Seal to build sustainable income and diversify your revenue streams.
1:45 PM – PERFORMANCE: Eleuthera
1:55 PM — PANEL: Creative Practice in the Age of AI
A must-attend discussion with Nicolas Lachance-Brais, Simon Peacock, and Isabelle Van Grimde on how AI is shaping creative industries.
3:00 PM — LEARNING ACTIVITY: Build Your Dream Team
With YES Artist Business Coaches Stacey Lavender and Caroline Gauthier.
3:30 PM — Understanding CALQ Funding
With Amanda Wanis and Guillaume Thériault, learn how to navigate funding programs and apply with confidence.
4:00 PM — Stop Waiting to be Discovered
With Kalika Hastings, learn how to take control of your visibility and grow your audience.
5:00 PM — Networking Event
Connect with fellow artists, collaborators, and industry professionals in a relaxed setting.
👥 Who Should Attend
- Artists and creatives of all disciplines
- Newcomers building their professional network
- Filmmakers and multidisciplinary creators
- Artists seeking funding, visibility, or business skills
🌐 Attend In Person or Online
Join us in person for the full experience or attend online to access key sessions and insights.
Register today and take a meaningful step forward in your creative career.
Supported by:
Media Partners:
For more information about our Artists Program, click here.
