The right mentoring relationship can shape someone’s career. In a sector that is filled with unknown quantities and a constantly shifting set of rules, learning from the experience of someone who has already walked at least part of the road can be an invaluable experience for an establishing artist.

“The mentor-mentee relationship is a transformative one that can change the course of one’s life.” (Mentorship program coordinator, arts organisation)

It is common for creative entrepreneurs to complete their formal education having excelled at their artform but with little practical knowledge about the business of building a career. They may have all the confidence in the world for their abilities, but can suffer under the weightiness of the muddy world of making a profit, developing marketing plans, taxes, grant applications, and the list goes on.

There are two factors that can transform this uneasy and often terrifying experience - finding a supportive community of like-minded individuals with similar career goals, and getting a mentor.

“Mentoring instilled in me a belief in what I was doing.” (Mentee, Australia Council for the Arts)

Creating a mentor / mentee relationship is about finding the ground where you can mutually benefit one another. A mentee needs someone who can help them dream of the bigger picture, who can provide practical advice about thriving and surviving in the sector, and who is willing to share the stories of their toughest times and their biggest failures.

As a mentor, you contribute to something larger than yourself. The act of sharing your knowledge and skills has the power to create new openings for inspired creatives and build diversity as people find confidence to express themselves in their creative endeavours. It can also be a personal tool for developing your own confidence and leadership capabilities. Mentoring is an essential tool for identifying and strengthening leaders who will continue to contribute to and build the creative sector. You help grow the skills of the next generation of creative leaders.  

At The Big Idea we’re exploring interest in a new format for professional mentoring in the arts. It’s early days but we think we have the design to elevate the mentoring relationship to new heights.

Register your interest in mentoring through The Big Idea here: 

We’ll update you with more information about the programme (the matching process, training, start dates and time commitment) as it comes to hand.