2024 One-on-one Mentorships Program

Nextfest is happy to bring back our One-on-One Mentorship Program for the 2024 festival!

WHAT?

Do you have an artist in your field you’ve been dying to meet? A burning desire for some specific and personal guidance in your artistic discipline? Seeking a chance to build some industry connections? Then this is the program for you. This program will cover a wide spread of disciplines including the worlds of theatre, music, film, dance, visual arts and whatever other artistic discipline you are interested in. There is no cost to you for the program and the one-on-ones would happen around May and June of 2024.

If you sign up for the mentorship program, we will connect you with the artistic mentor of your choice for an hour-long one-on-one chat, either in-person or virtually. Don’t have a specific person in mind? No worries! Tell us what disciplines/practices/skills you want to learn more about and we can refer you an artist from the community. You can ask them about specific practices in your field, how to make a career in that field etc. Please make sure you come prepared with questions ahead of time!

This is a free opportunity that will involve one-on-one chats with arts industry professionals. This is a space where you can ask questions and gain the knowledge you need to take your art or career in the arts to new heights. 

WHEN?

Sign up as early as possible as spots are limited it and submitting this form is not a guarantee of a spot in the program. Additionally, by being with the program, you would become an artist with Nextfest and would receive an artist pass to attend the festival running from May 30th-June 9th for FREE!

This is your chance to the pick the brain of an artist of your choice and talk about your hopes and dreams with someone making their own a reality! Please sign-up by Monday, May 20th to receive priority for a slot.

 

You can sign up right now!

 

While the majority of mentorship sessions will take place during Nextfest (May 30th- June 9th).  Depending on availability, the mentorship sessions may happen slightly outside of these dates. It will be up to you and your mentor to schedule your session.

Once connected, it is up to you and your mentor to decide where you would like to meet! If you would like to meet in-person, there are a number of fantastic locations on 124 Street.

Alternatively, you may set up a phone call or virtual call! 

Why?

Ever wanted to pick someone’s brain about their pursuit of an artistic discipline? Longing for some guidance in a specific arts-based area? Have a dream mentor you have always wanted to talk to?

Now is your chance to be paired with a mentor for an hour-long one-on-one session where you can ask them everything you ever wanted to know, and chat about your hopes and dreams as an artist!

There is no experience required, only a desire to learn and connect. Anything from playwriting to solo musicianship to indie filmmaking – we want to match you with someone who can answer your questions and inspire you to take your work to the next level.

We have connections with Nextfest Alumni and arts industry professionals beyond, and you have the dreams. Let’s make it happen!

APPLY TODAY

If you are interested in this type of mentorship and networking, apply using this Google form! Sign up early as spots are limited and not guaranteed! 

The deadline to apply is Monday May 20th 2024.

HOW WILL APPLICANTS BE SELECTED?

We have a limited budget to pay the established professional artists to provide mentorship and are unsure of how many applicants we will receive. Therefore, the applicant evaluation process will only be instituted if the number of applicants exceeds the number of mentors we are able to pay. 

If we do need to follow through on evaluation, we will select artists based on their demonstrated need for support while supporting artists from a variety of disciplines and communities. Additionally, priority will be given to folks who haven’t had the opportunity to participate in the One-on-One Mentorship Program before. 

Have any questions? Reach out to workshops@nextfest.ca.