INCLUSIVE MENTORSHIP: Integration of New Artist to Public Art
CLENT / FUNDER
Canada Council for the Arts
TYPE OF PROJECT
Research
CATEGORY
Public Art Consulting, Art Strategies
BRIEF
Inclusive Mentorship: Integration of New Artists
to Public Art is a collaboration between SUMO Project and ZWARTstudio, with the objective of developing a new mentorship prototype or tool kit to address barriers in the public art sector. Some of which we have identified through our work as members of the Toronto Public Art Commission (TPAC).
Artist as mentor, artist as mentee, the commissioning agent and the municipalities, all fear the risks and a possible unsuccessful outcome, that can result from lack of experience, ability, knowledge of the organizational
structure, time commitment, cost control, etc.
Novices experience a variety of barriers that range from complex language, complex RFP, RFQ and other call for submission to contracts, copyrights, costing, etc. In addition, they also generally lack a portfolio and community and working connections (fabricators, galleries, art consultants, etc.). They have no knowledge of where to find opportunities, and there is little ‘formal education’ / training in this regard,
etc.in sum, they lack the tools to begin
This research main objective is to foster the new generation of public artists by advancing an inclusive method (toolkit) of mentorship. Removing or reducing existing barriers in
the system to increase participation and promoting fair conditions for everyone to participate.
There are also cultural differences. In Canada, a big number of people, including artists, come from different socio-geographical backgrounds that function in different ways. In their countries of origin, they use the ’benefits of informality’ to self-generate opportunities, but in Canada, the regulations do not allow many of this ‘guerilla’ interventions and the formal ‘system’ is
hard to understand and navigate, becoming a barrier.
In this research phase have consulted the ‘arts
community’ about their experiences in the field, obtaining a variety of perspectives to identify both, barriers, and opportunities resulting in the creation of a preliminary theoretical tool kit.
A second applied research phase, test this toolkit in practice using ‘pilot projects’, evaluating and refining tools that we hope can be widely used to create opportunities for
artists new to Public Art-See MENTORPODS:, a creative mentorship platform designed to support novice* artists in developing and pitching public art concepts with expert guidance.
We aim to:
-Build capacity and sharing knowledge by inviting participation from all sectors.
-Create partnerships by providing low risk opportunities and innovative business models between the public and private sector.
-Use the theoretical framework for its subsequent use in practice, using pre-established partnerships in the public and private sector.
-Contribute to strengthening the resilience of the art sector. Propelling creative practices and sectorial collaboration to developing skills and providing the framework necessary to succeed.
Our research combined case studies, interviews, and a targeted artist survey to gain insight into public art production and its barriers.
We examined approximately 15 local, national, and international programs (from countries including the USA, Germany, Mexico, and South Africa), focusing on innovative mentorship models and systemic challenges faced by groups such as new immigrants, Indigenous peoples, and novice artists.
We also conducted around 25 one-on-one interviews with a range of professionals in the field—artists, developers, consultants, municipal staff, BIAs, and fabricators—using both structured and open-ended questions to capture diverse experiences. Insights from this work informed the development of an online artist survey, which was shared through professional networks and public platforms to further identify access issues and gaps in support.
Ilana Altman / Cultural Planner
Anah Shabbar / Cultural Producer
LeeRoy New / Artist
Maria Kim / Artist
Lee Petrie / Art Curator
Melanie Fernandez / Arts Educator/Programmer
Andrea Carson Barker / Art Writer and Supporter
Tessa Shank / Artist
Sharon Gaum-Kuchar / Art Curator, Municipality
Heela Omarkhail / Developer, Social Impact (Private)
Ryan Rice / Indigenous Art Curator
Tonya Hart / Artist
David Anselmi / Developer (Public)
Bianca Weeko Martin / Artist & Researcher
Brad Golden / Public Art Consultant
Anran Guo / Artist
Lara Tarlo / City Planning / Municipality
Karen Mills / Public Art Consultant
Jane Farrow / Curator
Brandon Vickerd / Artist
AnaBela Taborada / BIA Chair
Trent Baker / Fabricator
Interviewees and Survey participants
We thank all the people in the arts community including those listed above as well as survey participants that generously shared their time and knowledge with us. Your contribution was essential to the understanding and development of this research.
BECOME PART OF THE CIRCLE
Get in touch at admin@sumoproject.com