“FUTURES/forward is a National Mentorship Program in Community-Engaged Arts for Social Change (ASC) in Association with Environmental Organizations Across Canada!

Are you an early to mid-career community-engaged artist who would benefit from the support of a senior ASC artist? Are you passionate about climate justice?

Are you a seasoned community-engaged artist interested in sharing your gifts of experience and wisdom with those newer to the field?

Are you part of an environmental organization looking to add depth and reach to your programs by integrating arts into your communications, education, outreach, engagement or research strategies?

FUTURES/forward is hosted by the International Centre of Art for Social Change (ICASC), an Institute at Simon Fraser University in partnership with Judith Marcuse Projects (JMP), an arts organization with a 40-year history in Canada and abroad and a pioneer in the field of ASC. Our recently completed, six-year national study of ASC provides strong evidence of the high impact that community-engaged artists bring to diverse change agendas.

The FUTURES/forward program embeds community-engaged artists within organizations addressing the pressing environmental issues of our times. These artists (mentored by a senior ASC practitioner) might work to enrich existing programs; develop new approaches to include arts-infused initiatives; offer innovative communications strategies, provide inclusive and interactive educational programs; or enrich public engagement and advocacy.

Some quick facts:

• The duration of each mentorship arrangement can range from two to six months.
• Work in performance (dance, theatre, music), visual, literary and digital art forms are all welcome.
• In each partnership, the “hosting” environmental organization, mentor, and mentee create their own work plan to be approved by ICASC.
• Partnering environmental organizations may provide logistical assistance (e.g. space for workshops, outreach information, community networking assistance).
• Both the mentor and mentee receive compensation that will vary according to the length and content of their work plan.
• Maximum payment, dependant on the length and content of each partnership, is $5000 per mentee and $2000 per mentor.
• The ICASC team provides contracts and supports the processes of each arrangement.
• A final report from all participants is required.
• Participants will have the opportunity to meet regularly online. As the first year of the program wraps up in late 2020, all participants will be expected to attend a national gathering to share and review our experiences. Expenses will be covered for those travelling from outside Metro Vancouver.

HOW DO I APPLY?

MENTEE ARTISTS:

1. Please provide a letter of application answering the following questions (max 2 pages):
   • What are your goals as a community-engaged artist?
   • Please tell us about your current work.
   • How might you benefit from participating in this program?
2. AND a CV or resume (max 2 pages)
   • You may include website URLs (if you have them)
3. You may also include up to five jpeg images or a short video (max 5 minutes) with an accompanying image list (including title, date, media, and/or summary of project). Include the necessary links and/or passwords to any online documentation in your submissions email.

EXPERIENCED COMMUNITY-ENGAGED ARTISTS WHO WISH TO BE MENTORS:

1. Please provide a letter of application answering the following questions (max 2 pages):
   • Please tell us about your current work.
   • Do you have experience mentoring other artists?
   • What are your interests and goals for participation in this program?
2. AND a CV (max 2 pages)
   • You may include website URLs.
3. You may also include up to five jpeg images or a short video (max 5 minutes) with an accompanying image list (including title, date, media, and/or summary of project). Include the necessary links and/or passwords to any online documentation in your submissions email.

→ ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: Please email inquiries to programs[at]icasc.ca.  We will be in touch with you!

HOW TO SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO PROGRAMS[at]ICASC.CA:

• Please combine all written components into a single PDF or Word document (PDFs are preferred). Please ensure the file name also includes your name.
• Attach the document to an email with the subject heading, Futures/Forward Mentorship Submission and YOUR NAME.
• Include all supporting images in a Google Drive folder titled, Futures Forward Mentorship Submission and YOUR NAME.
• Please do submit in the formats described above.

APPLY BY MARCH 15, 2020.

We have a candidate selection committee who should make final decisions by approximately April 1, 2020.

Questions about applications and/or the details of your mentorship proposal may be directed to programs[at]icasc.ca.”

For more information, please visit: https://icasc.ca/futures-forward/

-submitted by ICASC