Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) is excited to release the 5th call for applications for the VANS Mentorship Program. Since 2006, the VANS Mentorship Program has paired established artists with emerging artists (not necessarily young artists, but those at the beginning of their artistic careers) to take part in a ten-month long mentorship from September to June.

Over the last 4 years, the VANS Mentorship program has tailored to meet individual artistic concerns, concepts, working methods and ambitions for emerging artists (apprentices). Ambitious emerging artists were each individually paired with an established senior or mid-career artist (mentors) who helped shape the program with their individual skills and experiences.

By investing intensely in a few individuals for the last 4 years, the VANS Mentorship Program continues to contribute on a wider scale to the overall strength, sustainability and vibrancy of the visual arts community in Nova Scotia. The overall impact of the program however, relies on each participants’ enthusiasm and openness, and in particular their willingness to reflect on their own practice and engage in serious critical discussion about it.

View the full Call for Applications_2011-12 VANS Mentorship Program, which details program information, application requirements and eligibility.

With the deadline for applications being July 15th, 2011 at 5pm, there will be a Program Information Session on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 between 7pm-9pm at Visual Arts Nova Scotia with current program participants. The information session will appeal to artists interested in applying to the program and/or anyone who has questions about the program. Visual Arts Nova Scotia is located inside the Cultural Federations of Nova Scotia office at 1113 Marginal Road across from the NSCAD Port Campus at the Halifax Seaport.

For additional questions, please contact Becky Welter-Nolan, Programming Coordinator at t:902.423.4694    1.866.225.8267, communicate@visualarts.ns.ca.