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YES Montreal helps artists find work and develop their business sense

There is a deep-rooted prejudice that artists are poor managers. If YES (Youth Employment Services) Montreal has its way, this notion will have to be put to rest in the coming years.

Founded in 1993, this not-for-profit community organization works to provide young English-speaking Montrealers, particularly those working in the arts, with mentoring, networking, career counselling, and job search services. Every year, it also offers start-up companies a number of grants – in association with the Fondation du Maire de Montréal pour la jeunesse – and loans – in association with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation.

Since the creation of YES Montreal, Info entreprises – a service branch of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal – has worked closely with this organization on several projects, helping it to take advantage of many programs and services. This commitment on the part of Info enterprises is in line with that of the Board of Trade, which is fully aware of the importance of culture and its on-going contribution to the economic development and international reputation of the metropolis.

Helping artists to earn a living from their art
“We want to help artists to see themselves as self-employed persons,” declares Susan Molnar, YES Arts Program Coordinator. “With this in mind, we help them develop their business skills by organizing panels, workshops, and conferences on many issues.”

In recent months, the organization has held various information sessions on a host of practical and strategic subjects, such as starting a company, preparing a business plan, accounting, legal issues, organizing a place of business, and networking.

These events, which have attracted thousands of interested artists, have had a positive impact on participants, according to Molnar. “These panels and conferences have helped them overcome their isolation, feel supported, validate their choices, and ultimately, enabled them to live off their art.”

Moreover, with this same goal, YES Montreal is preparing to publish a guide for Montreal artists called Business Skills for Creative Souls containing practical information about eight specific business issues for anyone trying to penetrate a difficult market.

Business tools for success
Jennifer Gasoi is one of the young artists who have taken full advantage of the services of YES Montreal. Originally from Vancouver, and living in Montreal for the past two years, this young jazz and blues singer also composes children’s songs recorded and distributed by her own label, Sparkling Productions.

Jennifer recently attended a series of lectures titled “Starting your own company,” where she confirms she learned a lot. “YES Montreal helped me get the business part of my life organized,” she says. “They helped me put my business plan together, provided a lot of encouragement, and gave me the business foundation I needed.”

According to Jennifer, the know-how she gained through her contacts with this organization is priceless. “Many artists have talent, but they don’t go anywhere because they don’t have the business tools to make things happen.”

Succeeding in Montreal
Of course it’s not easy for English-speaking artists to support themselves through their art in Montreal, especially those working in the fields of literature, stage, and screen. But, as Molnar explains, young Montrealers who come to her organization identify strongly with this city. “There are a lot of people from outside who feel at home in Montreal. It’s not easy, but they want to make it here.”

“The biggest markets are in Toronto and B.C., but I love Montreal as a base,” admits Gasoi.

When you think of the international success earned by English-speaking Montrealers like Leonard Cohen, Rufus Wainwright, and Melissa Auf Der Maur, you have to admit that anything is possible.