There’s no business like show business

The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario‘s NextGen group (which does some pretty cool stuff) organized a job shadowing day. Pairing emerging and established professionals in the fields of heritage, arts management, architecture, and city planning, the initiative was meant to make meaningful professional connections

It was with absolute pleasure that I was selected for this and paired with Kevin Harris, Events and Sales Manager at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre. Many years ago I worked at Theatre Museum Canada, where I spent my days in an office at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre organizing artifacts from costume design sketches to Christopher Plummer‘s sword.

(One day I got to attend a J. K. Rowling press conference and she signed my sister’s copy of The Philosopher’s Stone.)

So being back at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre was like coming back to an old friend. Kevin gave me an extended tour (pictures at the end of this post), and let me in on what happens on a typical day in Events and Sales there. As the Canadian Music Centre, where I currently work, recently launched its own performance space, getting to learn about how a theatre complex and heritage building like the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre handles rentals and programming was invaluable to me.

In addition to seeing firsthand how the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre promotes itself, handles rental bookings, and plays a role as an Ontario Heritage Trust property, it made me think about my career goals. I could see how my skills can be put to use in such an environment, and it really gave me a boost in confidence about my own suitability for a role in arts management that is still tied to built heritage. If you’re new to my blog, those are two things that are near and dear to my heart (and career).

As one of those horrible Gen-Yers (entitled, lazy, the worst) I am always interested in articles about how to address the generation’s over-educated/under-employed dilemma. The term “mentoring” comes up a lot. It makes sense. How better to learn about career options and in which direction to aim than by getting to know someone who’s already there and learn about their role? In the course of a handful of hours I learned from Kevin’s experience what it would have taken me months, or years, of trial-by-fire to work out myself. I came back to work brimming with ideas of how to address the Canadian Music Centre’s own rental space, and with renewed excitement for the future potential of my own career.

I would sincerely like to thank the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and its NextGen group for organizing this job shadowing project, and of course Kevin Harris and the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre for taking me on for a day and showing me the ropes (and rigging, and travellers) for how arts, heritage, and business can work together.

And, in closing, If you’re not familiar with the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre, here are some pictures to show you just how beautiful the space is.

The ceiling of the Elgin Theatre

The original light switches, set in solid black marble

The Winter Garden Theatre, which was sealed away for decades. These seats were bought from the theatre outside which John Dillinger was shot. One of these seats is the last one he ever sat in, but we don’t know which one it is!

Those who can, teach

A year ago I attended my first coding workshop with Ladies Learning Code. This past weekend I returned, this time as a mentor.

I think it speaks wonders for Ladies Learning Code I went from complete n00b to someone who was able to teach the basic building blocks of HTML and CSS after just attending three of their workshops over the course of a year (if you’re curious, I went to their HTML & CSS, Mobile Coding, and Hack Day workshops).

Over a hundred of learners and mentors were packed at the CSI Annex for a full day of learning and mentoring. I remembered what it was like to sit down as a learner for the first time, opening weird and new programs, typing odd combinations of words, and slowly creating a real-life website (which later became this beauty). I remembered it being an intense day, and at the end of it rubbing my eyes from having stared at a screen too long, and needing a drink from absorbing too much material. It was a strikingly similar experience as a mentor.

Sure, there was an instance or two where I had to ask another mentor for help – I did only start a year ago, and other mentors were full-time developpers. But that’s the glory of the Ladies Learning Code structure – there are so many mentors in relation to the learners that it’s so easy to draw from others’ experience. And by teaching, I relearned a lot of the basic coding tools and feel even more confident in my abilities.

It was exciting to teach, and see everyone’s faces light up as they all, one by one, successfully implemented code. The mood was just terrific, and my heart melted when my learners thanked me for my help.

I was reminded of how much I missed teaching. I’m definitely going to mentor with Ladies Learning Code again.

Are you interested in learning more about tech skills? See what Ladies Learning Code (yes, men are welcome!) has in store for you.

Newest Crush

I was asked recently which nonprofit organization I thought had the best social media. I normally answer with one of the local powerhouses, like SickKids Foundation, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and Alexander Neef (yes, he’s an individual, but he presents himself as an extension of the Canadian Opera Company, and in so doing makes the COC accessible and relatable).

But there is a new social media stud on the scene – the Aga Khan Museum.

If you’re curious, the Aga Khan Museum is that intriguing building going up to the west of the Don Valley Parkways just north of Eglinton. Keep an eye out for it next time you’re stuck in soul-crushing DVP traffic.

The Aga Khan Museum isn’t even open yet, but I already feel like I’ve been welcomed in its doors, received a guided tour behind the scenes, and been able to peruse its collection. A picture says a thousand words and it’s no news to any community manager that audiences love imagery. The Aga Khan Museum has been using its Facebook feed almost like an image-based tumblr, posting a high proportion of images showing the construction of its building and some of the artifact they’ll have on display.  Feast your eyes on the kind of posts they share:

Not only are their artifacts beautifully crafted, but I really appreciate the amount and tone of text that accompanies them. Informative without being patronizing.

This place will have a reflecting pool, people.

Oh, no big deal, just an absolutely swoon-worthy geometric screen.

Part of my infatuation with the Aga Khan Museum is that it’s new, yes, but also because it’s dedicated to the “intellectual, cultural, artistic and religious heritage of Islamic communities” – of which my knowledge and experience is sorely lacking. I enjoy going to the ROM and the AGO, where I have worked and volunteered, and which exhibit artifacts that I’ve already learned about at some point along my +12 years of art/historical studies. But I am genuinely excited to be exposed to artifacts, whose details and significance are new to me.

I’m chomping at the bit to visit this museum. And I’m relishing the confident ease with which the Aga Khan Museum manages to promote itself before even opening its doors.

Now, how to get myself an invite to its opening…

I’ll turn the question to you — which nonprofit organization do you think has the best social media?

Sell yourself

It doesn’t sound great, does it?

I mean, selling. Sales. Makes one think of pushy salespeople and Glengarry Glen Ross.

(Heads up, this clip includes adult language and outstanding acting.)

I once had a sales job that reminded me too much of that scene. But selling yourself, promoting yourself, doesn’t have to be like that. And you can have all the coffee you want.

Now selling oneself, for a lot of people, is intimidating. It was for me. It still is, to be honest. You don’t want to sound self-absorbed, or braggy. But if you have skills to sell, you need to tell people you have the skills, and that they are for sale.

In my line of work I’ve been fortunate to meet a lot of creators. Artists, curators, musicians, authors. And we often talk of how hard it can be to promote oneself. There are some creators who are awesome at it. But that doesn’t come naturally to everyone, and can be a real source of anxiety.

If you’re a creator, it’s quite possible you went to school and learned to develop your work. You learned your place in academia, and how you fit in the narrative of art/music/literary history. At art school I learned how to talk about my art to other artists, and how to assemble a portfolio to apply for grad schools and galleries. But I didn’t learn how to introduce it to new audiences, or promote it outside of the confines of the art world. Or, you know, live off the avails of my work.

Why would I? Art is art. It isn’t for sale. It isn’t some crass commercial transaction. How can you accurately sell something, the value of which is indeterminate?

Right.

Well, if you want to make any kind of a living off your art, you’re going to have to learn. Fortunately, thanks to the internet, getting the word out about your skills and work is easier than ever. And you can make progress in baby steps.

In no particular order, here are some key elements to self-promotion:

HAVE A WEBSITE

I’m so proud that the first three websites I’ve designed were to promote artists. It kills me that one of my art school colleagues, whose art absolutely blows my mind, doesn’t have a website for his art. How is he supposed to show off his art? How am I supposed to show off his art?

Thanks to platforms like WordPress (which very cool people use), it’s easier than ever to set up a personal website - for free!

Online tutorials can help with establishing your own domain (www.yourname.com is always a good idea) and web hosting (I strongly recommend Island Net, but really anything but Go Daddy will do the trick). If you need a bit more help, the wonderful people at Ladies Learning Code (yes, men are welcome!) and Hacker You can help.

Or if that’s a little too daunting you can always hire an up-and-coming web designer to create a page for you.

GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Use it to drive traffic to your website, build your personal brand, build your network, connect with clients, share your artistic process, bond with others going through the same thing… Social media is a powerful tool when wielded appropriately.

Another great benefit of social media is you can learn about events relevant to your pursuits, and even learn about the folks who’ll be there. Which is important because another important step to promoting yourself is to…

GET OUT THERE

As much as I love promoting myself from behind a screen, it really is important to get out there. Get face-to-face. Shake hands. If you’re an artist, go to a show to support other artists. An author? Go to a book launch. I’m currently doing web and print design for some amazing individuals and organizations, all who heard about me from someone else, who met me in person at various events.

WORK FOR FREE

*record scratch*

Hear me out. Work for free when/if appropriate. I direct you to this chart, which I wish someone had sent me years ago. I agree with it.  Is it a luxury to be able to work for free? Yes. Was I selective about who I was willing to do free work for? Yes. Is it a guarantee to lead to paid work? No. But, for me, it helped me get exposure, and build a portfolio, and led to paid work.  Feel absolutely free to ignore this step.

GET PAID

That’s more like it. If you’re trying to make money from your art, you actually need to make money from your art. Make the hard decisions about putting a price on your work and your time. You’ll need to separate yourself a bit from the artistic side and put your business cap on. Track your hours and income. Learn to create invoices and contracts. Alternatively, get yourself a Medici-esque patron to bankroll your artistic pursuits. If you succeed in this, tell me how.

Are you a creator who is trying (or has succeeded!) to sell yourself and your skills? I want to hear about it!

And do you want help with a website or design? Because I can totally do that.

Two pointy sticks

We’ve all been told “It’s not what you know, but who you know.” I used to think to myself bitterly: Well, I don’t know the right people. That’s out of my control.

And I realized that knowing the right people could actually be in my control. I just needed to get outside of my comfort zone. I would have to *shudder* network.

At business school we jokingly called networking events “The March of the Penguins” as hordes of students desperately waddled through the throng with black suits and wine, trading business cards at a rapid pace.

You know how successful I was at that? Not very.

I’ve written before about food and networking, and how great that is. But I’m going to let you in on the secret to how I started to build my network, and it doesn’t involve suits or business cards (though we do have wine):

Knitting.

Two years ago I hijacked a twitter conversation between people I didn’t know, who were looking for a place to knit, and offered my place. That day, I met the most incredible, powerful, and talented group of individuals, who I am so lucky to count in my professional, and personal, networks. We met, we ate, we drank, and we talked. We learned about each other’s interests and skill sets. These are the people who invited me to work on projects with them (including the incredibly successful Be Good Be Social Toronto conference), and these are the people who have been absolute rock stars in supporting my art and Etsy store. These are, frankly, my kidney people.

So what though, right? I just lucked out in finding a half dozen women whose interests and professional aspirations align with mine who also happen to knit. That’s not replicable.

Hear me out. I was invited to another knitting group. We socialize. We talk about books. We also talk jobs, careers, and opportunities.

There’s even a knitting group at work. Consider it a more creative and comfortable water cooler, and a crafty (get it?) way to build relationships with coworkers.

ASIDE: The broader knitting community is massive and organized. Keep on our good side.

Knitting is networking. And I recommend getting in to it.

But I’m a dude! You might cry. Well, step one, get over your gender essentialist issues, like these guys.
But I don’t like knitting! You might lament. Well, that’s your loss.

Now, it doesn’t have to be knitting. It could be something you’re really good at – or something you’re new to. An activity.

Knitting, or any group activity, takes the suits and business cards out of networking. We keep the wine though.

But I’m an introvert! Well, my friend, so was I. I know the anxiety of approaching strangers, and the constant fear that I’ll be laughed out of the room. Networking through an activity lets you work on something personal, and yet bond over a shared interest. Video games. Books. Drawing. Sports. Fashion. The possibilities are endless.

ASIDE: I was in Snakes and Lattes the other week and thought this place would be perfect for networking. There’s food, drink, and board games. How much fun would be it to have a networking event in that arena? (Maybe avoid Cards Against Humanity – just to be safe).

Are you all about the suits and business cards? Does the thought a conference room of strangers make you want to hide? Do you have a creative way to build your network?

In closing, here are some cool famous people knitting:

Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret

George Lucas

Audrey Hepburn

Katherin Hepburn

Marilyn Monroe

Liz Taylor

Crabby Thanks

I want to rewind things back to 2011. I wasn’t sure any year would be better than 2011. I was on a roll. In the span of 365 days I completed my MA, MBA, Graduate Diploma, I got a job with the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture, I got married, and I bought my first house.

The year ended, and I thought to myself: Ok, that’s it. You’ve peaked. Take it easy. You can’t top this year, so don’t try, because it will only end it tears.

And 2012, by contrast, was far more mellow. No grand life milestones. No new accreditations to hang on my wall.

So it was with absolutely giddiness that I found myself on Paul Nazareth‘s Golden Crab list. (Especially since I remember being super jealous of the indominable Clare McDowall topping his list in past years and wondering how it must feel to be that awesome. True story.)

Why name an award for a crab? Well, as Paul explains: “because it’s a food you can only eat with focus, with people close to you because it’s messy and it’s rare.”

Paul is an absolutely inspiration to me, and to many. I’ve encouraged friends and colleagues to join him at a Starbucks for an early morning meeting, because his advice and energy is as good as gold. When I see them after their chat with him, it’s like I’ve introduced them to Downton Abbey. They weren’t sure what to expect, but Paul, as with Downton Abbey, leaves you feeling energized, warm and fuzzy,* and impatient for your next interaction.

I’m not sure there’s anyone I promote as much as I do Paul. I did just compare him to Downton Abbey, and for me there is no higher accolade. He makes me feel like I can do anything, and reminds me of the value of doing good in this world.

So to be included in his Golden Crab list was absolutely amazing. And to be counted among such amazing people? Even more so.

It goes without saying that you should check out his twitter and blog (and of course his pristine LinkedIn profile).

Paul is all about helping and paying it forward. So here I am. I’ve got skills, and I’m here to help. Let me know how I can.

Who is your inspiration? Who gets the fire in your heart going for your life’s work? And, what can I do to help you this year?

*Certain episodes notwithstanding. You know the ones I mean. Paul would never break your heart like Downton Abbey decides to do every now and then.

ADDENDUM: This was my 100th post! Thanks for reading, liking, commenting, all those great things you do! Without you, this might as well be a diary.

If your new year’s resolution was to give back…

Then have we got an event for you.

It’s that time of year again! Timeraiser, one of my favourite events, is coming to Toronto in March.

I love Timeraiser. It’s an art auction. But instead of bidding dollars, you bid volunteer hours.

Opportunities for young donors to engage with causes – beyond our sometimes meager wallets – are what gets my blood pumping (plus, there’s art, which is pretty much my main passion in life). Because volunteers and organizations get to work out their arrangements themselves, we’re not just talking envelope-stuffing and door-knocking volunteer gigs. This event helps organizations take advantage of an incredible (over-) qualified demographic of young and determined professionals.

The cherry on this bombastic sundae is that Timeraiser pays the artists for their submissions too.

Last year I won a work of art at Timeraiser with a bid of 100 hours (which is the maximum allowed). I was at first daunted by the commitment, but I was able to reach that goal, months ahead of schedule.

Timeraiser put in to perspective how much of my time I donate to causes I love. It also made me think differently about what services I can provide. Through Timeraiser I helped organize events, designed promotional material, and worked on print layout for publications. I consider myself quite good at these things, and have done them pro bono (just sounds fancier than “free”) before, but for some reason the experience with Timeraiser let me see the accumulated value of my donated time.

And, because I’m as thrilled to support Timeraiser as I am the nonprofit organizations of my dreams, I’m submitting my own artwork for the auction this year. I would be thrilled to see my art hanging at the event, and hopefully inspire some aggressive bids…

Hope to see you at Timeraiser this year!

2012 in review

The good people at WordPress compiled a summary of this blog over 2012. Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 11,000 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 18 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

Thanks for coming by, reading, and interacting with me and my blog over the last year. I hope this year is full of exciting new adventures and topics about which to write, and look forward to sharing it all with you.

What topics are you interested in? How was your blogging experience in 2012?

Ready for my close-up

As I’ve written before (a handful of times now) I’m a big fan of Ladies Learning Code. I was honoured to be interviewed at their Hack Day about my experiences with them. Check out the video below!

Welcome!

Thanks for making your way to my blog! What would you like to read about?

Nonprofits

Culture

Social Media & Tech

Toronto

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