SASKATOON — Miguel Fenrich drew on his experience to set up his own non-profit organization, which aims to support arts and cultural workers in the province. Grant writing, which he said he loves most, is one of the areas he wants to help artists who are struggling to secure financial aid so they can continue pursuing their passions.
Fenrich officially launched The House of Fenrich, a consulting company based in Treaty Six Territory, aiming to work with clients across the province and possibly in other parts of Western Canada to sharpen their messages and strengthen their profiles, further promoting their craft.
Before summoning the courage to start his own firm, Fenrich struggled through the maze of his chosen field, marked by instability, self-doubt and the pressure to balance his creative ambitions with financial reality. Like other artists, he questioned whether his work could ever become sustainable.
“There were moments where I wasn’t sure I was on the right track. You invest so much of yourself into your work, and when opportunities don’t come right away, it can feel discouraging. I realized that a lot of artists are dealing with the same things, but they’re doing it alone,” said Fenrich, who was recently named one of CBC Saskatchewan’s Future 40.
“There isn’t always someone to explain how to navigate contracts, apply for opportunities, or even just survive creatively without burning out. Talent isn’t the problem. There are so many skilled people out there. What’s missing is access to information and support.”
He added that being an artist and following your heart in your chosen craft does not happen in isolation, and that an artist’s success can be supported by colleagues and others who offer creative and professional advice.
An interesting fact about the name of his communications firm, House of Fenrich, is that it is based on two aspects of his life. Fenrich is part of his maternal heritage, the Bessarabian branch, a lower nobility title that can be traced to a Germanic tribe originally from Austria.
“It is a striking homage to my ancestors and all those people who had to exist for me to be here. Secondly, in queer/Black ballroom spaces, the term 'House' symbolizes queerness, power, and found family. I thought it was also a way to honour resistance and metaphorical ancestors who paved the way for me to be myself,” said Fenrich.
His early career required adaptability. He took on various roles, including serving as a full-time reporter and editor at the Battlefords Regional News-Optimist, and getting his firs first novel published in 2022. He refined his craft and learned to advocate for himself in an industry that often lacks clear entry points or guarantees.
The experience, he said, taught him resilience and a practical understanding of the barriers artists face, including limited funding, a lack of mentorship and professional guidance. Those challenges ultimately reshaped his perspective. Rather than viewing the obstacles as setbacks, Fenrich began to see them as lessons that could be shared.
“I've always been a writer. I've always been an artist. It is something I've always been passionate about. Whether it's fashion design, drawing, or writing, it's always been part of my life. I did a lot of creative things. I jumped straight from writing a couple of letters to the editor to becoming a full-time writer,” said Fenrich, who recalls fond memories of his time at the News-Optimist.
“That was a wonderful and fun two-and-a-half-year stint working in the community, and I think that's where I really saw my art and craft blossom, because of how much I engaged myself with the community, and that has been a through line by extension to the rest of my work,” he added.
Today, Fenrich is focused not only on his own craft as an artist but also on helping his colleagues find pathways that lead to the support they need to further their chosen careers. He is increasingly involved in supporting emerging artists by sharing knowledge, offering guidance and encouraging collaboration within the creative community.
His goal is to help demystify the industry, particularly for young and emerging artists who may feel overwhelmed by the professional side of creative work, as he believes strengthening the arts sector requires more openness and co-operation rather than competition.
Fenrich said that by creating space for mentorship and honest conversations about failure and perseverance, he hopes to make the creative landscape more sustainable. Helping others navigate the same challenges he once faced has become a meaningful extension of his artistic journey, rooted in experience, persistence and a commitment to giving back.
