Our Artist Mentorship Program
We know the power of art and connection. We understand that a traumatic event that led to a neurological disruption has reshaped your world. We have experienced art becoming part of our lives as we heal. It has felt unfamiliar and natural at the same time. We know that calling yourself an Artist might feel odd especially if you were not making art before your diagnosis. We offer the Artist Mentorship Program as a resource for you to expand your art practice, skills, and knowledge.
You may, or may not call yourself an artist.
We understand this.
We are here to support your creative exploration.
art·ist
a person who practices any of the creative arts
cre·a·tive arts
anything utilizing imagination to express an idea or emotion through a medium such as paint, writing, movement, dance, music, film, theatre, photography, or sculpture.
men·tor·ship
Mentoring is a reciprocal learning relationship which a mentor and mentee agree to a partnership, where they work collaboratively toward the achievement of mutually-defined goals that will develop a mentee's skills, abilities, knowledge, and/or thinking.
The True Definition of Mentoring. (n.d.). gsvu.edu. https://www.gvsu.edu/cms4/asset/4E1EDE14-CCD7-E36A-C1461EF14C472362/the_true_definition_of_mentoring_transcript.pd
Who is this for?
If you have been diagnosed with a neurological disruption as a result of a health issue or event
If you started an art practice during your healing process
If you are art-curious after your neuro-disruption and don’t know where to start
If you are committed to learning more about your medium (painting, writing, collage, textile art, sculpting, etc.) and would like to do this without taking classes
If you love the idea of an Artist Residency but want to build up to that
If you love the idea of the Artist Residency but it’s not lining up right now
How does an Artist Mentorship work?
The Artist sets an intention: What do I want to learn during this time?
The Artist selects the Mentor based on what you want to learn
There is an Introduction Call between the Artist and Mentor
Both the Artist and the Mentor commit to 6 thirty-minute sessions to be completed within 3 months
The Artist and Mentor co-create the scheduling process and self-manage the commitment
The Mentor provides the Artist Mentee with a PDF recap after each session supporting the aspect of this program that forms new practices, or seeds ideas and the neurogenesis process
FAQs
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1. Click the "Apply Here" button at the top of this page.
2. Pay the application fee.
3. We set up a Zoom to discuss the mentorship in more detail. We cover the questions in the application form and will answer any questions you have.
4. Once accepted, we coordinate a meeting with your Mentor.
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This is perfect. We understand that many of us have spent our lives not identifying as an Artist, even though we create. We welcome you. This is a safe place to learn and explore.
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Mentors will listen, and guide in the spirit of the Artist learning new skills. The mentor will answer questions and encourage the Artist to explore their practice.
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This virtual program is designed to reach more people than the Artist Residency and support people where they are in their healing process.
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Yes. You will want to set up your space for the calls. This will be discussed during the Introduction Call.
You will share your work with the Mentor. This process is for the Artist. If it is helpful for you to the Mentor's work, please let them know.
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The Artist Mentorship Program is a great way to explore your art practice.
You cannot be in both programs at once.
You can apply to attend the Artist Residency 3 months after your Artist Mentorship program is complete.
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Yes.
Application fees for Residency & Mentorship programs are $25.
We ask the Artist to contribute $125 to participate in the Artist Mentorship Program. This fee covers part of our operating costs. We rely on donors and community members to fund the additional operating costs of this program.
If you are thriving and want to pay a mentorship forward, there are people who would benefit from this loop of generosity and scholarship. Talk to us about this.
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Yes. We want to make this as accessible as possible.
We encourage you to apply and set the intention to attend.
We address financial limitations for the Artist Mentorship program during our post-application call.
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The short answer is: No. We ask for a three-month integration period before re-enrolling in the Artist Mentorship Program.
The longer answer is: Once an Artist has completed the six-Mentor sessions, there is a three-month integration period for the Artist. After that period, you are welcome to re-apply to the Mentorship program with a new intention for what you will explore or want to learn.
