Business smARTs: Creative Currency

As an artist, gaining a strong understanding of business finances is one of the keys to ensuring success and longevity. Business smARTs, Creative Currency provides artists of all disciplines with the tools they need to generate income within and outside their creative practice. 

This 5-week in-person program facilitated by Anthony Gebrehiwot and Dwayne Holness will take place on Mondays 6:30pm-8:30pm in Nia Centre’s Digital Media Lab. It will provide information on the basics of financial planning and record-keeping, investing, taxes, and tips & tricks on how to pitch your work. Participants will also walk away with hands-on experience through Excel activities, group discussions, role play and helpful contributions from guest facilitators Shay Myers and Dean Chambers.

Week 1 – January 27, 2025: Introduction to Financial Literacy

• Introduction to financial literacy.
• Importance of financial planning for artists.
• Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) financial goals.

Week 2 – February 3, 2025: Budgeting Basics & Income Diversification

• Basics of budgeting for artists.
• Managing irregular income and expenses.
• Understanding fixed vs. variable costs.
• Exploring multiple income streams and their role in financial stability.

Week 3 – February 10, 2025: Saving & Investing with Shay Myers

• Importance of saving for emergencies, retirement, and future projects.
• Types of savings accounts and investment options.
• Understanding risk and return in investments.

Week 4 – February 17, 2025: Taxes & Financial Record-Keeping with Dean Chambers

• Overview of Canadian tax obligations for artists.
• Understanding deductible expenses.
• Importance of accurate financial record-keeping.

Week 5 – February 24, 2025: The Art of Pitching You & Your Work 

• Crafting the perfect elevator pitch.
• Building a comprehensive pitch for projects or grants.
• Identifying and highlighting unique selling points.

Meet your Facilitators

Anthony Gebrehiwot is an award winning artist, curator and community leader whose creative lens re-visions photography as an ongoing dialogue of social change between subject and society. Anthony also has a history of investing behind the scenes for just over a decade. His focus over the course of that time has been in the stock markets and crypto currencies.

Dwayne Holness is a visionary entrepreneur and creative leader renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the digital production and marketing industries. As the founder of Corex Creative, a top-tier digital production agency based in Canada, Dwayne has shaped the way brands connect with their audiences through purpose-driven storytelling and innovative visual campaigns. Since 2012, Corex Creative has established itself as a leader in creating impactful commercials, branded films, music videos, and social media campaigns, earning widespread recognition for its creativity and excellence.

Meet your Guest Facilitators

Dean Chambers is a Canadian entrepreneur, wealth coach, and financial literacy advocate passionate about empowering people to achieve financial independence. As the Co-founder of Checks Over Strikes and author of Don’t Be A Waste Youte: The Financial Literacy Guide, Dean specializes in simplifying money concepts and breaking down the pillars of wealth creation: making money, managing money, and multiplying money.

Shay Myers created Finance for the Culture as an educational platform to eliminate the fear of finance. She teaches Canadians how money works so they can transform their financial habits. After learning the money game, Shay went from having $200 to her name and a 476 credit score to saving $40,000 in 9 months and investing $25,000 that year. This prompted her to pursue a career in financial services so she could teach others how to manage their money better. She offers one-on-one consultations, hosts financial literacy workshops and partners with organizations to amplify the importance of financial education. Shay has hosted over 130 workshops since 2021, helped clients clear over $120,000 of debt and has countless features including TV appearances, podcast episodes and articles. You can find her on Instagram at @financefortheculture or her website www.financefortheculture.ca.

Business smARTs is made possible through the support of: