BIPOC Leadership: ThisGen Fellowship

about thisgen

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.

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

changing the story, for good

Since its inception Why Not has been an active and passionate advocate for change and equity in the arts sector. ThisGen Fellowship is one of the ways that Why Not is working to remove systemic barriers and create access for more artists. Focused on supporting BIPOC women and non-binary artists to engage in complex conversations around art and the industry, ThisGen Fellowship is reimagining the future of leadership across disciplines in Canadian theatre.

This project is part of Why Not’s PROVOKE stream of activities. PROVOKE projects are about creating change in our community, city and world.

2024 Program

Why Not Theatre in partnership with the National Arts Centre is excited to announce the 2024 iteration of ThisGen Fellowship. 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 August 2024 (exact dates of activity TBD).

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.

Applications for ThisGen Fellowship 2024 have closed.

LEARN MORE

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)

In participating in ThisGen Fellowship, I hope to gain further insight into what is possible for my career as a cultural leader through expanding my horizons under the guidance of my mentor. I hope to learn more about the different manifestations of this work and get inspired by what others are doing. I hope to expand my network in ways that can generate future collaborations. I hope to learn more about non-profit governance and areas of knowledge that will strengthen me as a leader, while bolstering my passion through connection with role models who love what they do.

–Gabrielle Martin | ThisGen 2021 Fellow | Coast Salish Territories/Vancouver, BC

To have mentors and community leaders offer their time and guidance at this moment in my career is a gift. One that will allow me to support the work I wish to see, of the new generation. To allow my perspective and experience to exist and to lift the voices of my ancestors, of my friends, of my peers. What a treat!

–Sage Nokomis Wright | ThisGen 2021 Fellow | Tiohtià:ke/Montreal, Quebec

I am beyond excited to take part in ThisGen Fellowship as part of the Director's Stream. It is my hope to find a stronger voice when directing and to decolonize my directing process. I believe in our stories and the approach we take as directors to put those stories on stage. As an Indigenous woman I am often not taken seriously as a leader in the room and I want to find ways to address this.

–Michelle Thrush | ThisGen 2021 Fellow | Mohkínstsis/Calgary, Alberta

This Fellowship has come at such an incredible time as I continue to develop my skills as a director. I am so excited about the remarkable instructors I get to learn from--being able to have foundational elements of my education be established by such inspiring leaders who also understand the complexities of what it means to exist in a body like mine is truly a special gift.

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

I am thrilled to be a mentor for ThisGen Fellowship. Mentorship remains essential as we envision the future of theatre as a collective community of artists. What I love about mentorship is the mutuality of the relationship in how the mentor and mentee can learn and grow from each other. Why Not additionally recognizes that mentorship programs for women and people of color in theatre are often limited and leads with an intent to break down the boundaries and barriers of who deserves mentorship and how it should be received

–Amrita Ramanan | ThisGen 2020 Mentor | Director of Literary Development & Dramaturgy at Oregon Shakespeare Festival | Ashland, Oregon

Learning from Lisa Fa’alafi has been an essential step in my work as an Indigenous creator. I have admired Lisa and her Hot Brown Honey team from afar for years and it is an absolute gift and privilege to learn from her. She has taught me many invaluable lessons about international Indigenous touring, leadership, time management, creation process and balancing the work as a writer, performer, director and producer on a show.