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ThisGen Fellowship 2024: Apply Now to Join the Next Cohort of Canadian Cultural Leaders

call for applications

Why Not Theatre in partnership with the National Arts Centre is excited to announce the 2024 iteration of ThisGen Fellowship. ThisGen Fellowship is a national initiative that supports BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour) women and non-binary theatre artists get to the next stage in their careers through paid training, mentorship, hands-on residencies and labs, and peer-to-peer connection.

We are passionate about creating a future where BIPOC women and non-binary people have support, are celebrated, and have the resources and networks they need to thrive in the arts sector. By making connections to institutional leadership, enhancing valuable skill sets, and building a network of peers, ThisGen is a launchpad for Canadian cultural leaders.

“I felt deeply affirmed during my time in ThisGen. I have come to the realization through my work with these incredible women both teachers and peers, that there is space for our work, and not only that, we have the right to make it.

Natasha Mumba | ThisGen 2021 Fellow | Tkaronto/Toronto, Ontario

about the 2024 fellowship

The 2024 Fellowship will centre around the collaboration between Directors and Designers. Eight Fellows will be selected as part of the 2024 cohort, and applicants may apply to participate in either the Directing Stream or the Design Stream. The program will begin in May 2024 and run until the end of August 2024 (exact dates of activity TBD). 

  • Directing Stream

  • - - -
  • The Directing Stream is designed for applicants interested in developing their skills as stage directors.
  • Design Stream

  • - - -
  • The Design Stream is designed for applicants interested in developing their skills in all aspects of performance design.

ThisGen is a paid training program. Each fellow will receive a fee of $8,000 CAD for their participation in the program.

Program Structure

Running over the course of four months, ThisGen Fellowship 2024 commences with a 1-month online paid training program featuring a faculty of internationally renowned arts leaders, followed by an in-person residency in Ottawa hosted by the National Arts Centre. Fellows will then develop a research proposal as the fellowship will culminate in a 2-week lab designed to allow each Fellow to explore and apply all that they have learned to their research question. 

Timeline

(exact dates and times TBD)

Training Seminars

🗓️ May 2024 📍 Online

May 6 - May 31 (Monday to Friday)

NAC Residency

🗓️ June 2024 📍 NAC, Ottawa

June 10-14 (TBC)

Lab Prep

🗓️ July 2024 📍 Independent

Flexible, self-paced

Exploratory Lab

🗓️ August 2024 📍 Toronto

July 28 - August 10 (TBC)

ThisGen 2024 Faculty (preview)

ThisGen 2024 Directing Faculty

Directing Faculty

Directing Faculty

Directing Faculty
ThisGen 2024 Design Faculty

Design Faculty

Design Faculty

Design Faculty
ThisGen 2024 Masterclass Faculty

Masterclass Faculty

Masterclass Faculty

Masterclass Faculty

Masterclass Faculty

Masterclass Faculty

Masterclass Faculty

Masterclass Faculty

Past ThisGen Faculty Members

Past ThisGen Mentors

All applicants must:

      • Identify as women and/or non-binary*
      • Identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Colour)
      • Have a practice in the performing arts with a focus on either Directing or Design
      • Have 5 or more years of professional practice in the performing arts
      • Short-listed candidates must be available for interviews from January 15-19, 2024
      • Be available between May 2024 – August 2024 for Fellowship activities (exact dates TBD).

*Note: ThisGen Fellowship is a Trans-inclusive program.

Applications for ThisGen Fellowship 2024 have closed.

For more information visit ThisGen Fellowship.

If you have any questions about the application process, email Mary Anderson at [email protected].

ThisGen is produced in partnership with the National Arts Centre.

ThisGen Fellowship is made possible by the generous support of:

Major Partners

Partners