Mentorship Programme
Empowering Visual Artists to Thrive Professionally
The VAA Mentorship Programme
Our Mentorship program offer a comprehensive approach to help you grow and succeed in your art business.
The journey begins with a private Zoom Consultation where we’ll learn about your specific needs, set clear goals, and provide the direction you need to move forward. As part of the program, you’ll refine your branding and marketing strategies, learning how to showcase your art in a way that attracts attention and drives sales.
You’ll also receive personalised work critiques from industry professionals, offering valuable advice on your style, technique, and overall artistic development. Additionally, we provide practical guidance, tips, and proven formulas to help you navigate your path to success.
What we can help with
Creative & Portfolio Development
Work Critique
Artist Statements & Bios
Portfolio Reviews
Branding & Marketing
Campaigns & Ideas
Business & Professional Growth
Pricing & Selling
Galleries & Representation
Public Sector / Applications
Competition Research
Tailored Strategy /Target Settings & GoalsÂ
Assignments
Practical Support
Website
Social Media
Support
New Audiences
Practicalities – Setting Up Your Business
Shipping / Framing
The mentorship programme has been subsidised by the VAA and is exclusive to Premium Members of the VAA. In order to get access to mentorship, join our Premium Membership today.
Mentorship Trial
A 1 Hr session to see whether Mentorship might be for you.The £100 fee is redeemable against your next booking if you go on to take a full course of mentorship.
We tailor our Mentorship Programme to each individual artist and can offer bespoke packages to suit your requirements. Starting at £100 for an hour taster session, we look at artists individual goals and create a package that will suit them.
Do you have a specific area you want to focus on? Well, our 3-month or 6-month mentorship programme will be perfect if you have a certain topic you’d like to dive in deep with.
Or would you benefit more from a detailed overview of your entire arts business? If you’re looking to take strides to success … choose either our 1 year or 18 month programme for a loyal in-depth mentorship programme.
3-Month Programme
Looking for advice on a specific topic, a 3-month programme could be for youLooking to explore a specific area, with our 3-month programme your mentor will give you tailored advice
6-Month Programme
Look into a specific area in more depth with our 6-month programmeWant to explore a specific area in more depth, with our 6-month programme your mentor will give you tailored advice to help you grow
12-Month Programme
Embark on a year-long mentorship and grow your art careerGet in-depth advice from your mentor with our 12-month programme
18-Month Programme
Get tailored, in-depth advice with our 18-month programmeYour mentor will put together an in-depth tailored advice plan for you to follow, with our 18-month programme
After choosing the length of your programme and completing a Pre-Mentorship Questionnaire, you will be invited to your initial Zoom Consultation.
Our Mentors will go through your tailored strategy with key areas for you to complete. Progress will be monitored through monthly reporting and catch up calls/emails.
GROUP MENTORSHIP
If you are part of an Artist Collective, Organisation or Network, a bespoke group mentorship programme will provide you with the practical tools to refine your creative goals and navigate collaborative opportunities more effectively. With tailored support, you will grow your audience and amplify your voices in the art world.
Group Mentorship
Perfect for Artist Collectives, Organisations, Networks EtcAre you an artist collective looking for mentorship? Get in touch today about our Group Mentorship Programme by emailing hello@visual-artists.org.
Price on application, dependent on the number of mentees, length of programme and topics
Artists Coaching Circle
Introducing the exclusive Artists Coaching Circle, a supportive group coaching experience designed specifically for creatives. Open to Premium Members of the VAA, this 4-week programme (4 sessions in total) for £110pp, brings together 6 artists per group for guided coaching, inspiration and accountability. Connect, grow, and thrive in a focused group setting.
Karen van Hoey Smith
Karen is an artist mentor, independent art broker and curator. She holds a degree in Fine Arts Valuation and has worked in the arts and antiques world since graduating in 2001. A member of AWITA (the Association of Women in the Arts) and a trustee of the Royal Crown Derby Museum Trust, she was the youngest female auctioneer in the UK. Karen has served as a consultant expert for the BBC, magazines, newspapers and radio, worked as an art consultant in London, managed galleries in Bristol, and was a senior partner at an art publishing house.
With a successful track record as an art broker, having sold works by Banksy, Picasso and Bomberg, Karen brings a wealth of experience in artist representation, curating exhibitions and guiding artists to achieve their goals – whether that’s increasing sales or gaining recognition in public art institutions.
Amy Jobes.
Amy has been an artist for over 20Â years and is a graduate of the University of Exeter. She previously worked in communications whilst building her practice and has been a full-time professional artist since 2012.
She is an experienced arts marketing professional and has completed two years of the VAA Mentorship programme, under the tutelage of Shirley-Ann O’Neill who holds 25 years of Arts Marketing experience, MA in Marketing, and FCIM (fully chartered).  Amy has also undertaken several CPD courses at Imperial College London, as well as other institutions, covering  High Impact Writing training, Content Management System Web Publishing, Social Media, and Small Project Management Training.
Amy has secured Gallery Representation with several galleries.  She has a highly profitable art business and a loyal client base. Her work has been featured on the BBC, Devon Life (Luxury Magazine) as well as regional press and with Artists & Illustrators Magazine. She also teaches oil painting workshops and undertakes Portfolio reviews for artists across several genres.
Amy’s areas of arts marketing knowledge include Getting Gallery Ready, Limited Edition Prints, Branding, E-marketing, Websites, Partnerships and Charities,  Artist’s Collectives, and Artist Residencies.
Richard Kalman
Richard is the owner and founder of the Crane Kalman Brighton gallery. With a family background in the art world and in modern British painting in particular, Richard branched out and opened his own gallery in Brighton 2005 specialising in contemporary photography.
The gallery has established a reputation for providing a platform to showcase the work of mostly up-and-coming, young British and some International artists. The gallery has held solo exhibitions by artists such as Polly Borland, Simon Roberts, Jane Hilton, Tim Flach and the late Michael Ormerod, as well as the work of international photographers such as Terry Richardson, Joseph Szabo, Karine Laval and Hans van der Meer.
Richard also continues to work with emerging young photographers through the annually held Cream Graduate Showcase exhibition. He lectures in Professional Practice at Universities giving advice to students on photography and careers in the art world, and hosts portfolio review sessions for BA and MA students. He also works with professional photographers to provide career development mentorship and review sessions both through one-to-one sessions as well as at various photography festivals and photo meets.
Through a tailored Mentorship Programme with The Visual Artists Association (VAA) focusing on your individual situation, Karen, Amy and Richard will use their extensive experience working with Artists to give YOU the clarity and direction you’ve been looking for.
Depending on your needs, we can pick and mix your mentorship so that you gain a range of invaluable advice from our mentors.
Our Mentorship Programme is an additional cost to your membership but all spaces are subsidised by the VAA. If you’re interested in our Mentorship Programme then email our team at hello@visual-artists.org with the subject “Mentorship Enquiry” and we will be in touch!
What Past Mentees Have Said…
Looking for a review of your work or business?Â
We are also pleased to offer Portfolio Reviews, Art Business Reviews and our NEW Funding Application Reviews to help boost your career event more!
Bundle Package
Save almost 50% on individual pricing- Limited-time Bundle for Premium Members
- Book a Portfolio Review (Reg. £156) + Getting Gallery Ready Course (Reg. £250) + 3-month Mentorship (Reg. £516)
- Was: £922, NOW: £495Â
- Want to know more, email hello@visual-artists.org
Office Hours
Monday – Friday | 9am – 5pm
Strategy Calls
If you would like to book a call with one of our experts or find out if the mentorship programme is right for you, please email hello@visual-artists.org.Â
Mentorship Application Form
“We want to transform Artists lives by offering a clear pathway to succeed commercially in their art business, giving them more time to create.”
The VAA’s Mission