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Experience the Value of Mentorship

Are you looking to expand your knowledge, grow your skills and make connections focused on strengthening business and management skills? The Creative Spaces Mentoring Network might be for you! This program is an opportunity to connect with leaders in Calgary’s arts sector.  The program is designed to pair cultural workers who are responsible for their spaces, focus on capital-related issues, or are seeking space, to work with a mentor and develop their creative spaces project over the course of one year.

Last year in Ontario, we had 16 mentor/mentee pairs, with pairs connecting virtually over Zoom from all over the province! Participants described the program as:

The program is also an opportunity to create lasting relationships with your mentor/mentee. We would like to share some reflections from some mentees and mentors over the last few years:

“This was a wonderful experience working with Ed Finlan (Siku Hall Arts Centre) as a mentee as I learned about the project he and his committee are working on as well as how their community is working towards an inclusive arts space.  I learned just as much as I hope he did.”

-Wendy Fairbairn, General Manager of the Orillia Opera House | Mentor

“Heart Comonos is a startup non-profit community engagement organization in Cooksville-Mississauga. We create events for all ages that are fun and fulfilling – like music, art and dance, park and neighbourhood cleanups, discussion groups, and projects that support people who are hurting. In the last 18 months, about 1500 people participated in approximately 45 events. We understand the value of mentorship as questions and issues come up about staff, volunteers, governance, funding, planning, programming, and long-term sustainability; thank you ArtsBuild Ontario for the gift of encouragement, and wise counsel through the mentorship of Olinda Casimiro over this very fast-paced start-up phase.”

-Hardy Steinke, Executive Director of Heart Comonos | Mentee

“Working closely with Hardy Steinke and the team at Heart Comonos has been a gift. Heart Comonos is an organization located in Cooksville-Mississauga communities, they are an inclusive, street-level organization that uses a community model of caring to walk alongside people who are hurting, lonely and isolated.  As a new grassroots organization who initiated a ‘pop-up hub’ concept to facilitate connection, they have started the conversation and are becoming a Neighbourhood Support Network where strategies – including support for mental health and wellness and promote social engagement and emotional healing through hands-on creative activities – all contributing to personal and community wellness. Their programs are making a difference – as they help to eliminate disparities in their community. I am grateful to have been connect to Hardy and his team –  thank you ArtsBuild Ontario!”

-Olinda Casimiro, Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Northumberland | Mentor

I’ve had a great experience connecting with my mentee to contribute to their growth and shared insights on the highs and challenges of establishing a viable arts destination.  The CSMN program provides a wonderful opportunity for both parties to gain perspective and furtherdefine what success means in the arts and cultural sector. I’m proud to be part of this program for a second year.

-Nadine Baker, former Facility Manager of The Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning | Mentor

We look forward to welcoming this year’s cohort! We are now accepting applications until December 14 at 5pm. For more information, visit our website.