ArtMentor: Coaching for Artists and Beyond

Are you ready to grow as an artist while developing the skills to guide and inspire others? ArtMentor is a unique program designed to help artists overcome career challenges, find clarity in their artistic journey, and build confidence as coaches — both for themselves and for others in their creative community.

Building on the success of the VAA’s popular Mentorship Programme, we have enhanced and updated the previous Momentum Programme to focus not only on overcoming obstacles and achieving personal growth but also on equipping you with the tools to coach and support others in their artistic journeys.

Course Overview

ArtMentor is designed to:

• Provide clarity on your next steps as an artist.
• Introduce strategies to overcome career blocks and achieve your goals.
• Equip you with coaching skills to guide both your own growth and that of others.
• Foster collaboration through a Buddy System and Reunion Meetings, creating lasting connections with fellow artists.
• Include a hands-on coaching experience where attendees will be paired with one another to practice new skills in real time.

This program is a unique combination of personal development, leadership training, and collaborative practice, offering insights into professional growth, coaching, and teamwork.

Course Curriculum and Delivery

The course consists of four online sessions, with interactive discussions, case studies, and feedback on tasks designed to support your artistic journey and coaching skills.

• Session 1: Crafting Your Artistic Strategy – Vision, Goals, and Overcoming Barriers
• Session 2: Building Pathways to Success – Accessing Opportunities and Income Streams
• Session 3: Becoming a Coach – Gap Analysis, Consistency, and Coaching Frameworks
• Session 4: Hands-On Coaching – Paired Coaching Exercises

During Session 4, attendees will be paired up to practice coaching skills with each other, allowing for an immersive, hands-on experience in guiding and supporting a peer. This session is a powerful way to gain confidence in coaching others while receiving feedback to enhance your own growth.

What Makes ArtMentor Unique?

• For You as an Artist:
  Gain practical insights into developing your vision, overcoming challenges, and creating opportunities for growth.
• For You as a Coach:
  Learn the skills to support others in their journeys, providing guidance, encouragement, and actionable strategies.
• For You as a Collaborator:
  Engage with our Buddy System to connect with like-minded peers and participate in Reunion Meetings to reflect, share progress, and celebrate successes.

Course Leader

The program is led by Karen van Hoey Smith, an experienced Artist Mentor with a background as an Art Agent, Gallerist, Auctioneer, and Consultant. Karen’s extensive expertise will guide you in creating a thriving art practice while developing leadership skills to support and inspire others.

Course Dates and Times

• Dates: February 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2025
• Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM GMT
• Location: Online via Zoom