Background

Much has been learned over the past few years about the ways in which art practitioners have to navigate a range of complex legislative and funding systems in order to ensure they can continue with their practice and leverage a sustainable income. The impact of the pandemic has highlighted the need of support from those with experience in supporting individuals in developing and managing such funding systems as well as developing new approaches to working in the Creative and Cultural Industries.

This is a mentoring programme which aims to match experienced practitioners to artists and creative freelancers who request help and support. This will include mentoring in career and practice development, practical skills and advice on personal planning, identifying and applying for funding, and the acquisition of new practical and technical skills for working in post-COVID-19 environments.

How It Works

Future Foundation will establish and manage a bank of experienced mentors who will be made available to those seeking help in the following areas:

 ·        Developing new approaches to working in Creative and cultural industries

·         Enhancing practical skills and getting advice on career advancement

·         Identifying and applying or rethinking options of financing

·         Acquiring new practical and technical skills for working in post-COVID-19 environments

·         Using or adapting technology to market, promote and expand their product or service

Individuals wishing to have support from the Future Foundation mentoring bank will apply and once approved will be allocated a suitable mentor.

Each mentee will be eligible to:

• 5 sessions with a mentor

• Attend 2 training seminars

• Access workshops/ lectures
  

FREE ACCESS TO INSPIRE WELLBEING RESOURCES

To compliment support from the Future Foundation team and our mentors, we are delighted to partner with Inspire to offer free access to the Wellbeing Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

The Wellbeing programme is open to all our mentors and mentees, providing:

• 24hr telephone support

• Confidential counselling up to 6 x 1-hour sessions

• Access to an online hub

• Monthly e-zines with Mental Health advice from Inspire.

Full information will be provided to successful applicants. For more details, contact: futurescreensni@qub.ac.uk

Mentee applications are currently closed

Mentee Eligibility

·      Must have two years’ experience within Creative and cultural industries

·      Not in full time education

·      Primarily based in Northern Ireland

·      Interested in developing/ adapting new approaches and learning new skills

Successful applicants will need support one/ or more of the following areas:

·      Developing new approaches to working in Creative and cultural industries

·      Enhancing practical skills and getting advice on career advancement

·      Identifying and applying or rethinking options of financing

·      Acquiring new practical and technical skills for working in post-COVID-19 environments

·      Using or adapting technology to market, promote and expand their product or services

Mentor applications are currently closed

Future Foundation are looking for individuals who would like to use their experiences and knowledge to help someone else progress and achieve their full potential. If you would like to join the mentoring bank you should have at least five years experience within the Cultural and Creative Industries and be able to evidence at least three years’ experience in offering mentoring support. Examples of such mentoring experience might include but are not restricted to:

• Mentoring colleagues in a work capacity

• Mentoring staff though involvement in arts or community organisations

• Mentoring in an educational context

• Mentoring in a career support scheme

Mentor requirements

All successful mentors will be added to the mentoring bank and will be expected to:

• Complete a training course before commencing mentoring

• Complete a maximum of 5 sessions per mentee within a 1 year period (or equivalent).

• Mentor up to a maximum of 8 individuals