TD Culture Lab
An Educational Series providing valuable professional development learning opportunities to Mississauga’s creative community.
Sponsored by TD Bank Group and presented by Mississauga Arts Council, TD Culture Lab is a professional development series of webinars and workshops designed specifically for the creative sector in Mississauga.
TD Culture Lab: Artrepreneur 101
Join us for TD Culture Lab: Artrepreneur 101, a webinar series designed to teach artists the business basics they need to succeed in their professional practice.
Each week, gain insights from MAC staff on topics like grant basics, artist resumes, branding, marketing, and more. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your creative career, this free 8-part series will give you practical tools and tips to grow as an artrepreneur.
Join us on Tuesdays from July 8 to August 26, 2025, 7-8 PM via Zoom for this free summer learning series!
The Webinars
Week 1: Bio vs. Resume
With Susan Durnin, MAC’s Administration Lead, and Jacqueline Mak Almond, MAC’s Creative Director and Strategist
Join us for an introduction to artist biographies and artist resumes/CVs — learn the difference and how to craft a great one for your next submission. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, complete with examples and a chance to receive expert advice.
Week 2: Media Relations and Promo
With Sherri Parliament, MAC’s Communications Manager
Join us for a presentation on building your media relations. Learn what information and materials media professionals are looking for, and how to promote your next event or project in a way that grabs their attention! Presentation followed by a Q&A session with examples and a chance to get expert advice.
Week 3: Intro to Grants for Artists
With Susan Durnin, MAC’s Administration Lead
Join us for an introduction to grants – what is a grant, who can apply, and how do you apply? Grants might just be the key to funding your next artistic project! Presentation followed by a Q&A session with examples and a chance to get expert advice.
Week 4: Branding & Website Basics
With Jacqueline Mak Almond, MAC’s Creative Director and Strategist
Join us for a presentation designed for emerging artists on the basics of branding and ways to achieve a simple, effective artist website. Learn what a brand really is, why it matters, and how to develop one that reflects your artistic identity. We’ll share tips, tricks, and tools to help you craft a professional online presence.
Week 5: Artist Statements
With Jacqueline Mak Almond, MAC’s Creative Director and Strategist
Join us for a presentation on artist statements — what makes them different from artist bios and project descriptions, when you need one, and how to write one that clearly expresses your vision. Presentation followed by a Q&A session with examples and a chance to get expert advice.
Week 6: Social Media & Design
With Sabrina Cunha, MAC’s Multimedia Designer
Join us for a presentation on using social media and basic graphic design to showcase your art and tell your story effectively online. Learn practical tips and tools to create engaging content to connect with your audience. Presentation followed by a Q&A session with examples and a chance to get expert advice.
Week 7: Project Budgets for Artists
With Susan Durnin, MAC’s Administration Lead
Join us for a presentation on budgets – how to create one, how it can enhance your story to funders, and how it can help you plan more successfully for your next project. Presentation followed by a Q&A session with examples and a chance to get expert advice.
Week 8: Contracts and Invoices
With Susan Durnin, MAC’s Administration Lead
Join us for a presentation on contracts and invoicing. Demysify contract language to make sure you are covered at your next gig, and learn how to create great invoices to make sure you get paid promptly for your work. Presentation followed by a Q&A session with examples and a chance to get expert advice.
TD Culture Lab: Webinar Series
Our series of FREE professional development webinars feature leading professionals and cover topics like Brand Development and Marketing, Finances for Artists, Grant Writing, Social Media Strategies, Mental Health for Artists, Live-streaming, and much more!.
The 90 minute webinars were hosted on Zoom. Register on Eventbrite to attend upcoming webinars. You can also check out past webinar recordings on MAC’s YouTube channel or scroll down to download the webinar resources below.
TD Culture Lab: Explore Publishing Workshop – April 2021
TD Culture Lab – Explore Publishing was a 2-day virtual workshop produced by MAC and presented by Courtney Park Writers’ Group and Mississauga Writers Group. The workshop engaged local writers through informational webinars, panel discussions, and networking opportunities on the topic of publishing. Both self-publishing and traditional publishing were explored and explained by knowledgeable individuals in the sector. The workshop videos are available on MAC’s YouTube channel.
TD Culture Lab: Webinar Series – Watch them Again!
Build Your Creative Business
(June 11, 2024)
With Sandra Clarke
Talking About ArtsCare
(April 21, 2024)
With Haley Toll & Susan Ksiezopolski
Curator Conversations
(March 21, 2024)
With Shannon Anderson & Lisa Jayne Irvine
Protecting Your Music: Copyright Basics
(March 21, 2023)
Host: Melissa Johnston
Making Radio Waves: Podcasting
(March 14, 2023)
Host: Kevy Oh
Public Art: Ask Me Anything Panel
(March 7, 2023)
Hosts: Jacqueline Mak, Philippa French, Kyla Radoja and Soon Cho
Get Funded: Grant Writing for Success
(February 28, 2023)
Host: Rohit Mehta, founder of DoGood Fundraising
Endless Possibilities: Using a Green Screen
(February 21, 2023)
Host: Prince Saquian
Social Media Strategies for Engaging Content
(March 15, 2022)
Hosts: Raven Benwait and Amni Singh from Bold x Collective
Live Streaming: From Stage to Screen
(March 1, 2022)
Hosts: Aimee Poulin, Andreja Kovac, and John Ranjith from Crane Creations Theatre Company
Daily Dose: Supporting Artists’ Mental Health
(February 24, 2022)
Host: Dr. Ewa Antczak from Core Centre
Grant Writing Success: Tips and Tricks
(February 22, 2022)
Host: Rohit Mehta from Do Good Fundraising
Pitching Your Music to Industry Partners & Concert Promoters
(October 26, 2021)
Hosts: Ryan Warner and Jesse Mitchell from Canada’s Music Incubator
White Walls: A Visual Artist’s First Steps
(October 5, 2021)
Host: Breann Ritchie from Crescent Gallery
Recording at Home…Like a Pro
(March 23, 2021)
Hosts: musicians Mark Kelso and Matt Zaddy
Creative Money
(March 11, 2021)
Host: Chris Enns from Rags to Reasonable
Brand Building Tips for Creatives and Entrepreneurs
(March 4, 2021)
Host: Daniel Francavilla from King Street Media
Creative Journey$: The DIY Creative Career
(February 25, 2021)
Hosts: Michael Amaral from Crusty Media and musician Arlene
Effective Grant Writing for Artists
(February 18, 2021)
Hosts: Rohit Mehta from DoGood Fundraising, and Maura Broadhurst from Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
Get Your Songs on the Radio
(February 16, 2021)
Hosts: Demetrius Nath from Antiskeptic Entertainment and musician Elyse Saunders
Video Production on a Budget (February 11, 2021)
Hosts: Filmmaker Cynthia Crofoot and director Jim Morrison IV
TD Culture Lab: Explore Publishing Workshop 2021
Traditional Publishing Workshops:
TD Culture Lab – Explore Publishing
Traditional Publishing Webinar (April 17, 2021)
Host: Mary Ellen Korosil (Courtney Park Writers’ Group)
Special guest: Pratap Reddy (published author of the books Weather Permitting and Other Stories and Ramaya’s Treasure)
TD Culture Lab – Explore Publishing
Traditional Publishing Panel (April 30, 2021)
Moderator: Mary Ellen Koroscil of the Courntey Park Writers’ Group
Panelists: Bala Menon (Tamarind Tree Books), Michael Mirolla (Guernica Editions), Kathryn Lane (Dundurn Press)
Self & Indie Publishing Workshops:
TD Culture Lab – Explore Publishing
Self & Indie Publishing Webinar (April 17, 2021)
Host: Elizabeth Banfalvi (Mississauga Writers Group)
Special guest: Belynda Wilson Thomas (self-published author of the book Secrets and Silence.
TD Culture Lab – Explore Publishing
Self & Indie Publishing Panel (April 30, 2021)
Moderator: Elizabeth Banfalvi of the Mississauga Writers Group
Panelists: Doug Mackie (PointOne Graphics Inc.), Belynda Wilson Thomas (self-published author).
TD Culture Lab: In-Person Workshops from the past
TD Culture Lab Workshops at MindShare Workspace – Fall 2022
October 1, 2022 – Strategic Planning for Arts Leaders | https://www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/2022/09/14/tdcl22-strategic-planning-for-arts-leaders/
with Ken Jones (Silver Birch Partners)
October 11, 2022 – Digitizing your Art Portfolio | https://www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/2022/09/14/tdcl22-digitizing-your-artwork/
with Sandra Clarke
October 18, 2022 – Pitching your Film/Script | https://www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/2022/09/14/tdcl22-pitching-your-film/
with Cathleen MacDonald (Motion Picture Enterprises) & Wendy Donnan (Oakville Festivals of Film and Art)
October 25, 2022 – Music Industry Panel | https://www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/2022/09/14/tdcl22-music-industry-panel/
with Demetrius Nath (Mississauga Music), Lincoln Blache (Made In Sauga), Melissa Johnston (Metalworks), & Mark “Pesci” Rodenhizer (The Rec Room)
November 4, 2022 – Media Masterclass | https://www.mississaugaartscouncil.com/2022/09/14/tdcl22-workshop-media-masterclass/
with Sherri Murray (MAC), Jay Kana (Modern Mississauga) & Paige Williams (City of Mississauga).
TD Culture Lab is made possible through the generous support of TD Bank Group.
