This professional mentoring project is designed to foster creative support networks, encouraging the building and sharing of creative skills. 

The Role

The opportunity is part of the Barn’s partnership programme with Craft Scotland. This new strand will team established mentors with emerging mentees, creating a short but intensive period of professional development for both parties. Mentors will be offered a set fee of £500 to cover their time and expenses. The role of Mentor includes:

- An initial consultation with the allocated mentee to discuss hopes and specific aims for the mentoring period.

- A series of mentoring sessions. The number, duration, and topics to be negotiated between mentor and mentee during the initial consultation. A minimum of four mentoring sessions (these do not have to be in person) are suggested. An open-ended, sustained dialogue is encouraged throughout the mentoring period. 

- Supporting the mentee for the duration of the mentoring period. Forms of support should be negotiated in the initial consultation session but may include: practical craft skills development and advice, professional practice awareness (where applicable to the craft of an individual mentee), advice on cultivating a brand, e-commerce, marketing and self- promotion, and business development.

- Producing a short, reflective report on your experience after the end of the project.

Eligibility 

Applications from potential mentors are welcome from established makers and craft professionals who are resident in Scotland. Applicants for the mentor positions are not obliged to be resident in Aberdeenshire, but mentees will be based in Aberdeenshire. 

Further Information

This role is organised by the Barn and funded by Creative Scotland, Craft Scotland and Aberdeenshire Council.  The opportunity is part of the Barn’s Meet Your Maker programme partnership with Craft Scotland.