Mentoring available for the autumn

Disabled artist or artist who is Sign Language user, would you like an experienced artist in your field to help you realize your artistic work? Now it’s possible! The project Making space for artistry offers mentoring for disabled artists or artists who are Sign Language users for the autumn 2023. Check out our answers to the most common questions and send your application!

Who can apply for a mentor?

Any disabled person and person who is Sign Language user who does – or aspires to do – art or entertainment professionally. In this case professionality means that you spend

more time and energy on making or studying art/entertainment than as a hobby. Your genre of art can be anything.

This open call is particularly aimed at artists at the beginning of their careers, who are looking for their own artist identity, artist statement or working methods. However, all disabled artists and artists who are Sign Language users are very welcome to apply!

What does mentoring or a mentor mean?

A mentor is a more experienced person working in the same field who shares with you their own knowledge and experience. They can give ideas on working practices, sources of information, partners etc. They can offer peer support or mirror your thoughts and ideas through their own experience. Reciprocally, the mentor’s own work is also enriched by acting as a mentor.

What can mentoring be used for?

You can use the mentor’s support for exactly those things where you need it, as long as it is related to your artistic work. A mentor can provide support and ideas for example:

• To find or strengthen your own artistic voice and your own artist statement
• To begin your studies or to support them
• To look for work opportunities and partners
• To work on your next project (performance, record, painting, book, exhibition etc.)
• To make grant applications or a portfolio
• To make contracts

Mentoring is not about teaching a specific skill.

Who mentors, how much and when?

Together we will find a suitable mentor for you. Mentoring can start in August 2023 and it will end by the end of December 2023 at the latest. Your mentor has one month’s working time for you. You can agree with the mentor on the best working rhythm for you. One mentor works with two artists.

What does this cost?

Mentoring is free for you. The mentors will receive a grant for their work.

How can I apply?

Send your application by 14.5.2023 to the project coordinator Riikka Hänninen by e-mail to: riikka@tilaataiteilijuuteen.fi. You can make your application in text, video or voice.

In the application, please include the following:

• Your name, email address and phone number
• In which field of art/entertainment do you work or study? What have you done so far?
• What are your future plans or dreams? What do you want to achieve or implement in the next year in your artistic work?
• What kind of things would you like support from a mentor for next autumn?
• Do you already have a specific mentor in mind that you would like to support you? (If not, that’s okay!)

Please include a link to a sample of your artwork. It can be text, image or sound.

Please also attach your resume or cv. If you are at the beginning of your career or are studying, feel free to tell us about your activities and studies so far in your CV.

How do I know if this is for me?

Feel free to apply! Just making an application will help you clarify your goals regarding your artistic work.

If you’re not sure if you’re “good” or professional enough to apply, get in touch and let’s talk about your situation! We are here for you, please contact us with a very low threshold!

Where can I get more information?

Write or call to project coordinator Riikka Hänninen: e-mail riikka@tilaataiteilijuuteen.fi or phone 050 3080 232.

You can also contact the project manager Maija Karhunen: e-mail maija.karhunen@cultureforall.fi or phone 040 166 2827.

Who is offering this mentoring?

The mentoring is offered by the project Making space for artistry – equity for disabled artists and artists who are Sign Language users. The project goes on from 2022 to 2024 and the aim is to strengthen the professional opportunities and equity of the disabled artists and artists who are Sign Language users. The project is funded by the Kone Foundation and it is coordinated by Culture for All and the Cultural Association Finland’s EUCREA.

Logo illustration: Hanna Väätäinen