so what is art mentoringall about in more detail?

To put it simply, mentoring is a partnership between a more experienced person (the mentor) and someone less experienced (the mentoree). A further distinction is that a mentoree aims to discover how to ‘do the right things’ or the effective things to progress along their particular creative or professional pathway. It is a flexible, personally crafted supportive relationship set up to help you achieve your goals.

Many people are now seeing mentoring as a viable alternative to tertiary study in that it is flexible, personally geared and cost effective.

‘Sometimes mentoring is about straight knowledge transfer, but mostly it’s about seeing opportunities for that particular person and making them aware of those opportunities.’ MENTOR , INDEPENDENT ARTIST

‘Emerging artists are now starting to learn that they can be their own business and want to gain management skills. [They’re asking:] “What is auspicing?” “How do you approach a gallery, write a media release?” “How do we sell our work?” “How can we attract sponsors?” We’re not only helping the artists but the industry.’ ARTSWORKER, YOUTH ARTS MENTORING PROGRAM

a mentoring relationship is…

‘A relationship based on wisdom, guidance, support and networking’

‘A relationship that helps to create short cuts’

‘Guidance, advice and plain support: support to be brave and ask for assistance; support to self-produce and develop initiatives; support to access different opportunities’

‘Setting up a cultural conversation between people who are at different points on their creative evolution’

‘An opportunity for an artist to spend time and build a relationship with a more experienced artist and to develop with their guidance’

‘A creative friendship’

‘A sharing experience’

‘About thinking in the long term, not providing for the quick short term’

‘In part, an education about process’

‘A learning relationship, about skills, techniques, the arts community the commercial aspects of the art world’

‘A long-term engagement whereby you are working with the same people and changing or enhancing that level of engagement over time. It is not a linear process.’

'A pathway to professionalism’

‘A focus on the needs of the mentoree, that fosters care and support, and encourages a mentoree to develop to their fullest potential’

what are the benefits of mentoring?

‘The mentor-mentoree relationship is a transformative one that changed the course of my life.’ MENTOREE INDEPENDENT ARTIST

Some arts practitioners argue that the most important outcome of mentoring is that the mentoree obtains full-time work in their chosen practice. Others are focused on beginning an arts practice so they’re concerns are in learning about creative options and techniques, building a body of work and strengthening it. Yet others are wanting support as they become a ‘professional artist, as they begin approaching galleries, setting up portfolios and web sits etc. Others see the benefits as increased confidence, improved networks and higher profile. Either way, most of the arts practitioners involved in mentoring find that the benefits go way beyond the personal.

‘It’s given me more confidence to pursue photography as a career. And since the program, I have approached a lot of people who under normal circumstances I wouldn’t have. So it’s given me the confidence to push myself.’ MENTOREE, EXPRESS MEDIA

benefits

Mentorees across the arts industry in Australia describe the main benefits of mentoring for them as:

> access to, and contact with, an established artist

> gaining confidence in artistic skills and ability

> public recognition

> networking opportunities

> knowledge of the business/industry.

what is effective mentoring?

To help you decide what you want from a mentoring partnership, here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

Is this the right time in my life/career for a mentoring relationship?

Can I take constructive criticism?

Do I have the ability and desire to learn new things about my practice and myself?

Do I need a mentor primarily to:

• guide me in my creative process

• teach me new skills

• be a ‘sounding board’ for my ideas

• support me through to the beginning, middle or end of my creative project

• help me learn more about the ‘ins and outs’ of the industry?

• give us advice about how to manage the business side of my work

• keep in touch and be interested in my work

• assist us if things happen to go wrong

• provide an opportunity for me to showcase my work

• help me to apply for project funds elsewhere

• help us to debrief and close the partnership, if it is for a limited time?

and also...

What agreement will I make with my mentor? For example have I thought about:

• how often I would like to meet

• how we can keep in contact

• what we should try to do together

• what my mentor’s responsibilities and time commitments are

• what we should do if something goes wrong or if one of us is unhappy in the partnership?

measurable successes

Here is an example of some of the things artmilk mentorees have achieved to date, a list of their successes.

Numerous successful grant applications for arts funding, gallery hire exhibition costs etc.

Numerous inclusions in Churchie, with Highly Commended awards

Successful art shows too numerous to mention both within Brisbane and interstate and overseas.

Successful grants to study overseas, both in America and in Japan

Two acceptances into highly prestigious national art awards interstate

Numerous admissions to master’s level tertiary study (without an undergraduate training apart from mentoring)

The development of fashion portfolios and collections

The development of illustrations for published children’s books

The development of innovative art techniques

The establishing of new groups of artists in Brisbane ’s art community

The establishments of new artists run businesses

Numerous financially viable arts careers

Plus the creative of dozens and dozens of strong bodies of work

Career shifts into the arts industry

If after considering these points and mulling it over, are you ready to begin the process ...or if you have further questions and or if you would like to set up an appointment time please contact me, Majena Mafe via either phone 33531741 or email info@artmilk.com.au

 (All quotes in this article were put together from MAKING YOUR MENTORSHIP WORK by Mary Ann Hunter available through the Arts Council)

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