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Chris Mitchell_Coaching for Artists and Creatives_Headshot

Chris Mitchell

Career and Professional Development Coaching
for Artists and Creatives

Gain clarity, confidence and momentum in your creative practice, career or arts-based business.

ICF Certified Professional Coach

CredentialBadge_ICF_PCC

Over 30 years of experience working with and supporting artists and creatives.

I'm a certified professional coach who helps artists, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders navigate change, professional growth, and build aligned and sustainable creative careers. Drawing on over 30 years of experience in the arts and creative industries and more than a decade as a coach, I bring a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges of creative work and being a creative professional.

Who I Coach

Who I support

I work with emerging, mid-career, and established creatives like you, including artists, makers, writers, performers, filmmakers, musicians, designers, educators, creative entrepreneurs, leaders and change makers in arts and culture and anyone dedicated personally or professionally to artistic expression or creative work.

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If you're feeling:

  • Stuck, uncertain, or at a crossroads in your creative life or career

  • Overwhelmed by competing priorities or struggling to maintain momentum

  • Ready to grow your creative practice, business, or leadership capacity

  • Seeking greater clarity, confidence, purpose, or sustainability in your work

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I understand the creative mindset and appreciate that there are many ways to build a meaningful and successful career and life as a creative professional.

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Ready to take your creative practice, business, or career to the next level or in a new direction?​​​​​

Here's how I can help

Together, we can:
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  • Clarify your vision, direction and goals as a creative professional

 

  • Develop strategies to advance your creative practice, career, or business

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  • Create habits and routines that support your focus, productivity, and growth 

 

  • Navigate change, challenges and transitions in your career and life as a creative

 

  • Strengthen your confidence and mindset as a creative professional.

 

  • Build a more aligned, sustainable and fulfilling creative life and career

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Whatever your aspiration or challenge, I’ll meet you where you are and support you in taking meaningful steps forward. On your terms. ​

Coaching Services for Artists and Creatives

How We Can Work Together

Whether you're seeking greater clarity, navigating a transition, growing your creative practice, or exploring new opportunities, I offer coaching, learning experiences, and resources designed to support your growth as an artist or creative professional.

Chris Mitchell_Coaching for Creatives_Group Coaching Programs

1:1 Coaching
for Artists& Creatives

Personalized coaching designed to help you

gain clarity, navigate challenges, build confidence, and create a more aligned and sustainable creative life and career.

 

Areas of focus may include:

• Career development and transitions

• Creative entrepreneurship and business growth

• Leadership development

• Creative practice development

• Confidence, mindset, and accountability

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​I offer coaching through structured packages and session-to-session options, primarily online, allowing us to work together wherever you are in the world.

Group Coaching & Workshops

Collaborative learning experiences designed to support artists and creatives

in developing their practice, careers, and professional skills in a supportive group setting.

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These programs combine coaching, reflection, conversation and practical tools to help you grow alongside other creative professionals.

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I lead group programs and workshops independently and in partnership with arts organizations.

Stay Tuned for Upcoming Group Coaching Programs

Resources

A curated collection of tools and coaching exercises to support your creative development and professional growth.

Including some for FREE.

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Designed for artists and creatives seeking practical insights, inspiration, and coaching-informed support on creative work and careers.

Building Your Creative Practice or Business with Intention_ Workbook for Artists and Creat

Newsletter & Blog

Consulting

A newsletter for artists and creatives navigating the inner and outer journey of building a meaningful creative life and career.

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Includes reflections, coaching prompts, practical insights, and updates on programs and offerings. Free monthly edition + optional paid tier with deeper content and resources.

Ways To Be A Creative Newsletter_Chris Mitchell
About Chris
Chris_Mitchell_Portrait_edited_edited.jpg

About Me   

I'm a creative myself, and I'm deeply passionate about supporting other creative people.

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For more than three decades, I've worked alongside artists, makers, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders, helping bring ideas, projects, and organizations to life. Along the way, I've collaborated with and mentored hundreds of creative professionals as they navigated the opportunities, challenges, and transitions that come with building a creative life and career or business.

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"I believe there are many ways to build

a meaningful and successful

life and career as a creative professional."

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I understand the contexts and realities of creative career development and the creative mindset because I've lived it too. I know what it's like to face uncertainty, ask what's next, and create your own path forward.

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Based in Toronto, Canada, I coach artists and creatives across disciplines and at all stages of development throughout Canada, the U.S., and internationally.

Testimonials

Testimonials

“Chris' guidance, encouragement, and belief in me helped me look within myself, trust my instincts, and find my own voice as an artist. She helped me see my art with kindness and positivity, and that shift has stayed with me. Because of that, stepping into this space of sharing, leading, and holding space through art felt natural—and possible."   Fatimah Erum
“"Chris helped me prioritize and give focus to the tasks that helped me develop my business into something more full formed. When we concluded our time together, I felt I had the confidence and the clarity that I needed to continue ahead!" Greg Benedetto

"life-changing". not sure how many times i've said that in the past few months when people ask me what it was like to work with Chris Mitchell, but i truly mean it every time. When i booked an appointment with Chris, I was an exhausted freelancer jumping from job to job (when there was any work available)....Over the next six sessions, Chris helped me to understand my strengths and skills, and how to highlight them first and foremost when talking about myself to employers via resume, cover letter, or in interviews. she was there to give me reality checks when my beliefs about myself and my industry were leading me to not shoot my shot for an opportunity. she listened to my frustrations on leads that fizzled, and she celebrated with me with every step of a new job lead.i'm proud to say that yes, with Chris's help, i procured a full-time, permanent position as a production manager; a step-up in my career i previously would have felt unqualified for. But, the most valuable thing i'm taking away from my time with Chris Mitchell isn't my new job. the most valuable thing i'm taking away is a better, holistic understanding of my skills and strengths. I now see how valuable i am as part of a group, inside the workplace and in my personal relationships as well. I definitely never would have been able to figure that out myself. I implore you, work with Chris Mitchell." Max

"No matter where you are in your career in the arts sector, Chris can help you refine your personal brand, and create an action plan that is unique to you and your needs. Chris is a great listener: she asked about my career goals, my strengths, and my personality, and used these as the foundation for my personalized coaching. I mentioned in an early session that I'm a strategic planning nerd, and sure enough, she had me create a strategic plan for my career. I loved it! The result is that I feel well-equipped to take advantage of professional opportunities as they arise, and to use my strengths to lead with confidence."   Barbara 
“I started working with Chris at a time when I was experiencing insecurity around the trajectory of my artistic career. During a few months of coaching, meeting every other week, I have made some major moves. My new path is set in a direction I feel very confident with. Chris asks the right questions leading me to focus and prioritize. She is a phenomenal listener and her keen observations have helped me look at problems in different ways encouraging me to activate solid decisions. I am a better artist today because of the coaching I received from Chris.”  Irene
“Chris' coaching helped me develop and redesign my art practice. More importantly, I was able to turn inward to understand my own values, and strengths. As a result I feel a permanent shift in my outlook and perspective. This shift has allowed me to become confident and purposeful, and has empowered me to take control of my career as an artist. I feel now self-guided in a direction that is fulfilling, honest, and in line with my values. Chris is an amazing coach and the results are absolutely invaluable."   Justine
“I worked with Chris Mitchell for the last year and found her help and guidance exceptional. She helped me hone in on things I wanted to change about my work environment and how to re structure not only the format of my workplace but how to re think and adjust my perception of it so that I could embrace what was happening with a more positive mindset. She also helped me clarify my goals as an artist and own my potential and expertise in that field and own my accomplishments. I would highly recommend working with Chris for Business or Artistic aspirations to set clear goals and have an incredibly positive and insightful guide by your side."   Sarah
“Chris Mitchell brings a winning blend of listening, compassion, insightful questions and imaginative strategies to her  coaching practice.
Working with her, I have been able to develop new perspectives and map out practical goals as I embark on new creative ventures."   Mark
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Chris and left with a more focused direction, a sense of "I can make this happen" and a plan to do so. Chris's extensive background working with artists/creatives in a variety of disciplines gives her a greater understanding of our practice(s). I find her kind and patient (with a great sense of humor) , and great at motivating me to look inwards and move forwards. A great investment in you! "    Sheri
“Working with Chris Mitchell has been a very empowering experience. Holding my long-range aspirations in mind, she has helped shape immediate goals into a series of sharp and focused tasks and bolstered my performance by gently pushing me to reach just beyond where I might have stopped otherwise. Chris is an incredibly attuned listener who brings powerful support in a gentle and humble way. I am very fortunate to have her in my corner.”   James
“Chris' coaching was invaluable at a time for me when I had totally lost touch with my creative pursuits. With her help, I not only reinvigorated my love and passion for creating music, but also was able to overcome the anxiety I carried from feeling out of touch with my craft. For me, her coaching carried affirmation, encouragement, and support and I always felt at my best after a call with her. She will help you self-actualize the solutions to your problems, but also help you realize you had the ability all along.  Emma 
“I am deeply thankful for the productive time I have shared with Chris. Her compassionate and insightful methods helped me to galvanize, clarify, understand, and implement meaningful growth in my art practice. Moreover, her guidance in deeply connecting these actions to my personal values and aspirations has revolutionized my approach to teaching and I am newly able to imbue this excitement and deep connection in my pedagogy."  Donna Szoke
“I found Chris at a time in my life when I was really struggling to see a clear path forward for myself-- I'd been acting for over twenty years, had jumped from job to job to make ends meet during that time, and was tired of the lack of consistency in my life. But, I also couldn't see a way for me to get that stability without either giving up on my art, or completely compromising in my day job. Chris really helped me to gain clarity on all the skills and tools I'd been building and using as an artist all these years, and helped me figure out how I could apply them to my professional career, and even to my life at large. For the first time I was able to see a way forward into stability that didn't have to crush my creativity, or require me to give up on being an artist-- instead, Chris helped me to use my experience and knowledge to find or build something that would allow me to have both, and honour all the time I'd put into honing these skills all my life. If you are an artist looking to find new and creative ways to apply your skills to new ventures, want help overcoming imposter syndrome, or are simply looking for great advice and a roadmap on how to be a better business person as an artist, don't hesitate to talk to Chris! "  Katie
"Working with Chris has been one of the best decisions I have taken. I knew where I wanted to go with my art career but was not sure of how to get there and was having some mindset issues that kept me from moving forward. During my six-session package Chris and I worked over my strengths, values, time management, how to seek opportunities, and mindset. What I love the most about Chris as a coach is most of the time I would show up with many things on my mind but not a clear statement of what exactly I needed coaching on that session, however, Chris would always listen to me and read between the lines and show me exactly what I was looking for and help me reframe things, and understand what actions I needed to take. After my package ended, I have a clear sense of what I want, what I need to do to achieve it, how to analyze my progress and actions, and which strengths I have to make things happen. I look forward to working more with Chris in the future but recommend to anyone seeking a coach to have a discovery session with her as I did." Maria S. Llamozas
Contact

Contact    

Send me your questions or contact me to set up a free 30 minute 1:1 private conversation to learn more about coaching and explore if we are a good fit.

Thanks for connecting!

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© 2017 Chris Mitchell. All Rights Reserved.

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All Photographs by Cylla Von Tiedemann  

(unless stated otherwise)

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