Operating since 2008, this programme sees new artists given the invaluable opportunity to work under the mentorship of an established artist. The mentees work towards a solo exhibition at Artspace’s Rosebank Gallery. The programme has run for three years and has showcased nine new artists working under the guidance of some of our top contemporary artists. The objective of the programme is to provide a launch platform into the market for new contemporary artists.

Some of our past participants have already been making an impact in the industry

Lindi Arbi, who was mentored by Tanya Poole, was one of the winners of the 2010 Spier Contemporary. Other artists who participated in this programme have been invited for second solo exhibitions both at Artspace and been offered opportunities at other galleries. Artist Louis Olivier’s exhibition which was his introduction to the contemporary art market, was a sell-out. His artistic profile continues to grow with a second solo exhibition later in 2011.

Past mentors include: Walter Oltmann, Tanya Poole, Leora Farber, Usha Seejarim, Wilma Cruise, Kim Berman, Kagiso Pat Mautloa and Gordon Froud.

Past mentees include: Nomusa Makhuba, Lindi Arbi , Senzo Nlhapo and Louis Olivier.

The Artspace Mentorship Programme was hosted at the 2010 Joburg Art Fair, where both the work of the mentor and mentee gained exposure to the public and the art market. This was through the generous support of the Gauteng Provincial Government and BASA.

Changes to the Programme:

Previously, the mentees were selected by the selected mentors, or matched by Artspace. The artists chosen by the mentors or gallerist, were selected on the basis of who they believed were suitable to take up such an opportunity. For the 2011 programme however, the selection process has changed; we have decided to open up the opportunity. Artists may now nominate themselves for consideration. A panel, which comprises the gallery curator and external industry experts, will select two or three artists for this programme from the nominations received.

In addition, we have also decided to extend our mentorship project cycle from 8 to 12 months. We believe this will give artists the benefit of working with their mentor for a concentrated period of time which will facilitate their producing a new body of work for their solo exhibition. The mentee exhibitions will take place early in 2012.

Part of the purpose of the programme is to expose new artists entering the industry to working with a gallery and a curator under the guidance of an experienced mentor. As an added benefit the project will provide workshops under the auspices of the gallery, for the mentees, on professional practice. In addition it will foster a close working relationship with the mentees to support them during the experience of mounting their first solo exhibition. These workshops will cover topics such as managing the gallery relationship, presentation and curation of their exhibitions, developing their professional artistic profile, marketing their work appropriately and managing all aspects of their professional careers within the business sector of the art industry.

The programme is fully sponsored by Artspace Gallery. Due to the expense and logistics associated with travel and transport of artworks of artists, this opportunity is at this stage open only to Johannesburg based artists.

The call for nominations will open on 1 February 2011 and will close on 22 February 2011.

Once all entries have been received, the panel will shortlist candidates who will be invited for an interview at the gallery. Interviews will take place in the first week of March 2011. Selected candidates will be informed following the interview process. The final selection of mentees and mentors will be made public by the end of March, whereafter the programme of mentoring will begin.

NB. The panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Criteria:

Only the following artists are eligible:
- Artists who have not yet had a solo exhibition at a gallery in South Africa and are not committed to an exhibition within this time frame.
- Artists resident within the greater Johannesburg area.
- Artists who are prepared to commit to the duration of the programme (March 2011 – May 2012) and who are available for the necessary studio visits and workshops. (Artists who are employed may apply but need to commit to the requirements of the programme)

Application Requirements:
- A full CV
- A profile/biography (not more than 500 words).
- An artist’s statement which is no longer than 500 words. This artist’s statement should contextualise your work to date (and not be about a specific work or body of work). We are looking to gain insights into the concerns that you are dealing with, the mediums you use and the content of your work.
- A motivation of why you would be appropriate for this programme, and for Artspace gallery. It is important to illustrate that you understand where Artspace fits in terms of the contemporary art market in South Africa and how your work is appropriate to this gallery. It is also key to motivate why you would be an ideal candidate for this programme.
- Images. These should be provided on a CD or printed. Please provide no less than 5 images and no more than 15. The images should be accompanied by captions. We are looking to see your development through key works of your career/ practice to date.
- Identify a contemporary South African artist who you would like to be mentored by and why. (500 words)(There is no guarantee that we will contact or secure these artists, but the aim of the question is to ensure that you illustrate an understanding of the mentoring process and what benefits it may offer.)

Your entries need to be hand delivered to Artspace Gallery, 1 Chester Court before 17:00 on 22 February. No e-mail applications will be considered.

Please note that the opening times of the gallery are: Tues to Fri 10:00 - 17:30 Sat 10:00 - 15:30.

All information regarding the mentorship programme can be viewed on the website.

Artspace Rosebank
Shop 1, Chester Court,
142 Jan Smuts Avenue,
Parkwood
Tel: 011 880 8802
E-mail: a[email protected]
www.artspace-jhb.co.za