MENTORPODS
CLIENT
Canada Council for the Arts
TYPE OF PROJECT
Mentorship
CATEGORY
Public Art
BRIEF
Much like the “Canadian experience” barrier faced by newcomers seeking employment, access to most public art opportunities in Ontario is portfolio-based. This creates a catch-22: artists are expected to demonstrate prior public art experience in order to qualify, yet they cannot build that experience without first gaining access to opportunities.
The situation is further complicated by the complexity of standard application processes, often structured as two-stage submissions requiring written proposals, budgets, insurance, and other professional documentation. For many, this combination becomes a significant barrier to entry.
MENTORPODS brought together small, interdisciplinary teams of experienced professionals—artists, architects, project managers, engineers, and technical advisors—who mentored ten selected novice artists. The mentees received tailored guidance to refine their creative skills, expand their professional networks, and navigate the complexities of public art practice.
Through this exchange of knowledge and experience, MENTORPODS helped equip emerging artists with the tools and confidence to make meaningful contributions to the public realm and the broader cultural landscape.
This opportunity have been possible thanks to the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts
The program demonstrated the value of an in-person format in fostering dialogue, community, and renewed artistic commitment, even as it revealed barriers related to childcare, commuting, and scheduling that must be addressed in future iterations. The experience underscored both the strong demand for initiatives of this kind and the potential of collective proposals to move beyond the classroom into the public realm. By building on these insights—refining program logistics, expanding practical training, and exploring opportunities for project realization—future versions can become even more inclusive, impactful, and responsive to the needs of emerging public artists across Ontario.
10 WEEKS
In this 'In Person' mentorship program, each session consisted of two parts: presentations by program leads and guest lecturers, followed by workshops participants developed and presented their assignments over ten weeks. Guest lecturers—professionals and educators with expertise across the public art process—complemented the knowledge shared by the program leads.
An in-person course format was selected because we believed it would foster more active engagement and have a greater impact on the learning process. This was confirmed by participants through the program survey and personal statements.
However, this format also presented challenges during the selection process that limited the ability of some individuals to participate (see chapter 6:Consclusion ) on the report document.
A full version of the report is avilalable here
BECOME PART OF THE CIRCLE
Get in touch at admin@sumoproject.com