Download Mentee Guide

Creative Catalyst Mentees

Dear Creative Woman,

Welcome to the founding cohort of the Creative Catalyst Mentorship Program. By joining us, you are helping to prove that women’s creativity is not a luxury, but the infrastructure of healthier families and more resilient communities.

As a mentee, you are opening yourself to a growth experience, mentor partnership, and meeting a community need. As a mentee, you will be intentionally paired with a seasoned artist mentor, someone to walk alongside you in your growth journey, listening deeply, and helping you connect your art to a wider community impact. We hope you walk away from this 6-week program with confidence and new skills that allow you to impact the community you are in.

The Mentorship Relationship

What to expect from a Creative Catalyst Mentor:

  • A guide and encourager.

  • A listening ear and a safe space.

  • A trusted source of honest feedback.

  • A connector who helps artists identify opportunities.

  • A champion of both personal growth and community ripple.

What NOT to expect from a Creative Catalyst Mentor:

  • Someone trying to improve your art or expressions

  • A one-time, fix-all solution

  • An expert in every art form

Important notes:

  • Mentorship thrives on openness and mutual respect; every artist deserves to feel seen and supported.

  • Mentors guide mentees toward discovering their own solutions. Success is determined by reaching a goal, you the mentee, have set for yourself.

  • If challenges arise (e.g., disengagement, personal concerns), mentees can reach out directly to their program leads for support.

One-on-One Session Guidelines: 

  • Consistent, scheduled with your mentor (Note: meeting frequency is flexible, as long as both parties are in agreement and in open communication) 

  • Respectful, honest dialogue between mentor and mentees

  • Established session norms/conversation guidelines between mentor and mentees 

  • Consistent flow of communication

  • Support artist-directed goal setting; your goals are the priority!

  

Program Structure

Timing & Details

  • This inaugural trial program will run for 6 weeks, from October 13th - November 21st. 

    • All mentoring sessions will be One-on-One. 

    • All sessions will be held online during the 6-week period.

      • We ask that you use provided Google Meets links.

      • Meetings can be arranged to fit mentor and mentees’ schedules. 

    • The only in-person event(s) will be our Workshop(s) & Closing Celebration on November 22nd at The Creative Alliance, in Baltimore, MD.

Time Commitment

  • 6 Weeks

    • During the 6-week period, commit to one 30-minute 1:1 session(s) per week (minimum) with your mentor. The scheduling of these sessions can align with you and your mentor’s schedules.

    November 22nd

    • You are welcome to participate in our in-person workshop(s) at The Creative Alliance, in Baltimore, MD, between 2-5:30 pm. Choose from one of these topics: resilience, marketing, or business

    • After the workshops, you’re invited to attend a catered closing Celebration and Showcase (from 6-8 pm).The mic will be open for you to share about your experience and showcase the project you’re working on!


Questions? Email us: programs@makinghermark.org