We’ve created this tip sheet to answer some of your most asked questions about mentorships and our Elevate Mentorship Program.
How do I develop a mentorship plan?
It’s important to have clear goals around the what, when and who of learning. Make sure you are choosing goals that are in line with your ambition and are timely; meaning goals that are achievable now, and that provide you with skills that you can continue to build upon. To be a creative professional is to always be learning, this will not be your only mentorship in your career, you don’t need to cram too much into the one mentorship. In fact, you might plan this mentorship with your next one in mind, mapping your ambition in stages.
To build a mentorship plan think through your key goals, discuss how they can be achieved with your chosen mentor, and develop the details of the plan together, keeping both of your skillsets and capacity in mind.
How do I choose and approach a mentor?
Consider the skills you want to acquire through the mentorship and the ambition of your practice. Identify an artist a few steps ahead of you, whose practice communicates similar concepts or with similar materials, that you feel you could learn from.
Our Elevate Mentorship program does not accept applications where mentors are former lecturers, but we do suggest you have met or at least talked to your mentor, so that you can ensure you both have a repour and good communication.
If you need an introduction to a proposed mentor, we can assist. If you live in the same city as your proposed mentor offer to buy them a coffee and talk through your intentions; note your rapport and communication during the meeting to ensure you can have a strong working relationship.
How to be a good mentee / mentor
- Clarity of purpose; be clear in your expectations of a mentorship, both of yourself and your mentor/mentee.
- Be flexible; in finding ways to share ideas, time and feedback.
- Hold vulnerability; be open to new ways of learning, to critical feedback and open conversation about your practice.
- Be respectful; commit to the project, respect the time and expertise of your fellow mentor/mentee.
- Plan; know how you will spend your time together, and show-up for it, prepare in a way that allows learning and openness.
What do I do if my mentorship doesn’t follow the plan in my application?
We’re here to help, if you need to talk through the ambition or logistics of your mentorship give us a call.
If at any point your mentorship feels like it is changing direction, please reach out to us. As you undertake the mentorship you may need to tweak aspects of your timeline or objectives, please do so in conversation with us.
How do I write an acquittal?
An acquittal is a great opportunity for you to reflect on the successes and hurdles of a project. We love hearing about both, so we can celebrate with you and identify where artists may need support.
We provide a template for you via our online portal – we advise you look at the acquittal at the beginning at the project, so you know what aspects to document the project rather than trying to retrospectively gather information at the end.
Document your project and development along the way; if your budget allows, pay for a photographer, or ask a friend to capture key milestones.
Consider the impact of the project on your career while you are undertaking the project, short term and long term – the acquittal is an important opportunity for us to share with funding bodies and donors the impact of their support.
How do I write a budget?
We have a template to assist you in writing a budget! The budget is an important tool for telling the story of your project as its factual and demonstrates the needs of the project.
Essentially, include all incoming and outgoing money related to a project, including paying your own artist’s wage. In-kind support is crucial to note, is someone lending you a space, or providing advice free of charge, then add it in. Even though no money is changing hands, you are being provided with something that you otherwise would need to pay for, so this is critical to note.
Any money or in-kind also shows that our funding is being leveraged by the support of others, which from a funding point of view minimises risk.
Make the budget as realistic as possible, attain quotes and know the prices that you will be charged for goods or services.
Can I ask for full funding of a project?
Most grant bodies like to see multiple funding sources or leveraged income where possible – this reduces the risk and increases the feasibility of the project. Some of the budget lines may be support in-kind with the real costing listed or might come from other funders or suppliers.
If you have any further questions, or would like to bounce ideas about your project, please get in touch with us – we know talking through an idea can be really beneficial to the final outcome – 08 7089 0720 or info@helpmannacademy.com.au