Benjamin Hackman, Creative Consultant and Grant Writer

Dear artists and colleagues,

Over the past 15 years I have coached many of you in your arts practices and assisted you with your arts council grants. Today I formally announce my retirement as a Career Consultant for Artists, and take this opportunity to announce that I have officially opened a new private practice here in Toronto as an Existential Counsellor. This exciting career shift began officially in January, and has revealed itself to be profoundly fulfilling to me professionally and vocationally. This is indeed a new chapter.

I wish to express my sincerest gratitude to all of you for the confidence you have placed in me over the years to assist you with your artistic ambitions and practical developments. I am immensely proud of the nearly 2.5 million dollars in arts funding I have directly helped secure over the years, and the many films, records, exhibitions, performances, and publications I have helped bring to fruition. My heart will always belong to artists and the arts, and for this reason, I have some offerings for you all, to ritualize the culmination of my professional practice as a Career Consultant for Artists:

On June 20th, from 12:00 - 2:00 PM, I will be hosting a free, in-person Q&A at my apartment in Kensington Market. This will be an opportunity for you all to ask me any questions you may have about arts grants, career development, and the creative process. It will also be an opportunity for artists across disciplines to network and develop relationships with each other. You are welcome to bring your fellow artists. It is my goal to empower you all to the best of my ability. If you are interested in attending, please email me directly at hackman(dot)benjamin(at)gmail, and let me know that you'll be attending.

Additionally, if there is anybody who would like to take over for me, who feels that they would find professional satisfaction as a grant consultant, and who would sincerely like to apprentice with me, please contact me directly. I will endeavour to teach you everything I know in the name of continuing to support the arts, and I will not accept money for this exchange. My payment will be the great art you help bring to fruition. The ideal candidate will have an already well established history of successful arts grants, and work across artistic disciplines.

Lastly, if anybody is interested in learning more about Existential Counseling, and how I may be of service to you in this respect, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.

I thank you all for an enriching 15 years, and please never feel shy to reach out to tell me about your new projects. Your success is my success.

Warmly, and with gratitude,

Benjamin Hackman

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