Creative Space Leadership Programme 2013

Frequently asked questions for mentors

Arts Access Aotearoa is offering a Creative Space Leadership Programme in 2013 to build the capacity of the creative spaces sector in New Zealand. This is a pilot programme that we are trialling in 2013. A key component of the Leadership Programme is a mentoring project.

The mentoring project will match leaders in the field (mentors from both within and outside of the creative spaces sector) with both developing leaders in the creative space sector who have demonstrated potential, and creative space managers who want to step up to the next level.

Who is Arts Access Aotearoa?

Arts Access Aotearoa is a national arts advocacy not-for-profit organisation. We advocate for all New Zealanders to have access to the arts. We work to reduce the barriers so that people who have disabilities or impairments can have access to the arts either as audience members of participating artists. One way we do this is by helping to build the capacity and sustainability of the creative spaces sector in New Zealand.

As a national organisation, we work to increase artistic opportunities for our key stakeholders: disabled people, mental health service users and prisoners. The Big 'A' Awards, the Arts For All programme and working with creative spaces around New Zealand are among the highlights of our work.

What are creative spaces?

Creative spaces are places and organisations such as community art studios where people with limited access can make art. A creative space may offer non-art activities (numeracy and literacy, for instance), but at least 60% of their week will involve art making activities. They are not-for-profit organisations. You can find out more about creative spaces by visiting our website and looking through the Creative Spaces section.

What is mentoring?

“A supportive, learning relationship between a caring individual who shares his/her knowledge, experience and wisdom with another individual who is ready and willing to benefit from this exchange.” – Suzanne Faure

What is a mentor?

The person providing the mentoring.

What is a mentee?

The person receiving the mentoring.

How will participating in this project benefit the mentors?

As a mentor within this project you will:

• receive professional mentor training
• gain or further develop your mentoring skills
• develop best practice regarding mentoring
• develop a working mentoring relationship with a promising creative spaces developing leader, or creative space manager who wants to step up to the next level
• be acknowledged on Arts Access Aotearoa's website.
  

What does the project cover?

• Mentor and mentee training and orientation for participants
• A ten-month period of mentoring
• A review process of the programme.
  

How long is the project?

It's a ten-month pilot project, which will involve a minimum of ten one-hour monthly meetings with mentor/mentee, plus other contact (phone calls, email) by negotiation.

When is the deadline for mentor applications?

Monday 11 February 2013.

When does it start?

19 March 2013, with an orientation and training day for mentors and mentees.

When does it finish?

December 2013

Who will be on the project?

Five mentees and up to 12 mentors will be on the pilot project.

Where do the mentors come from? How are they chosen for the project?

Mentors will come both from within the creative spaces sector, and from outside the sector. Mentors will be chosen for their expertise in their field, the match of their skills and experience to the needs of the creative spaces sector and their willingness, availability and suitability to participate in the project.

Where do the mentees come from? How are they chosen for the project?

Mentees are from creative spaces nationally. There will be 5 mentees selected for this pilot project. Arts Access Aotearoa will make a selection based on the information provided by the mentee and their creative space, and contacting referees provided.

What are the costs to the mentor?

There should be no costs to  mentors, other than their time.

What information will the mentors be asked to provide?

We will ask the prospective mentors to provide a short 50 – 80 word biography, and a recent photo. The mentors’ biographies will be sent to the mentees in advance of the training day, when there will be an opportunity for mentors and mentees to meet over a mix-and-mingle lunch.

What if a mentor is not chosen?

We will have a pool of 12 mentors who will attend orientation and training, and only 5 mentees. This is to ensure the mentees have a choice of mentors. Mentors who are not chosen will be given the choice to remain in the pool for the following year’s project, and to replace existing mentors if necessary.

What if the mentee and mentor want to extend the relationship once the project is finished?

You are free to keep meeting if mutually beneficial and agreed, but the mentoring arrangement will no longer be supported by Arts Access Aotearoa with further training and evaluation.

What if either the mentor or mentee want to end the relationship before the project is finished?

This might happen for two reasons:

• The relationship is not working out
• Either party has to withdraw from the project for other reasons.
  
  

If the mentee still fits the eligibility criteria, we will try to match them with another mentor.

We will have a ‘no fault divorce’ process to follow if the relationship is not working for either party.

What training will be given?

Participants will attend a one-day training course (half day each) provided by Arts Access Aotearoa and delivered by Aly McNicoll of the New Zealand Coaching and Mentoring Centre.

For mentors: The Mentor’s Toolbox.

Where is it held?

• The training day will be in Wellington
• The mentoring can take place at a location negotiated between the mentor and mentee, and could on agreement involve phone or skype meetings.

If a mentor is already trained or experienced, should they still attend the orientation and training course?

The training covers orientation to this project and this sector so it would be worthwhile for even experienced mentors to attend the orientation and training day.
It is also an opportunity to meet the prospective mentees at the lunch between the mentee and mentor training sessions.

How will mentors and mentees be matched?

Mentees will provide Arts Access Aotearoa with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice of mentor from the pool provided by Arts Access Aotearoa. To help make their choice, Arts Access Aotearoa will provide mentees with information about the mentors based on the bios mentors have provided, and a lunchtime meet and mingle will be arranged during the orientation and training day. Arts Access Aotearoa will match mentees with mentors following the training, informed by mentees’ choice, and both parties will be notified promptly so they can begin arranging their meetings.

How often do mentors and mentees meet?

This is negotiated between the mentor and mentee, but meeting are expected to take place every 4 weeks.

What will I be expected to provide for evaluation?

From time to time you may be contacted by the Creative Spaces Leadership Programme co-ordinator to check how things are going, and to see if there are any problems.

The project will be evaluated at the end of the pilot programme to ascertain the benefit to all parties.

If you have any queries about this program, please contact Arts Access Aotearoa.

Arts Access Aotearoa|Whakahauhau Katoa O Hanga
Phone: 04 802 4349
Email: community@artsaccess.org.nz
Address: Level 3, Toi Pōneke Arts Centre, 61-63 Abel Smith Street
PO Box 9828, Wellington 6141