The Teaching Box

Each person is born with innate talents as well as the ability to develop other skills. Not every person will have an aptitude for the creative arts, but nearly every person has the ability to appreciate the arts. The arts play a critical role in daily life. We rely on music to help us process life experiences; we look to filmmakers, writers and visual artists to educate, entertain and inspire us. We find meaning and insight while watching dancers and actors perform. When we mentor artists, we help to make life more rewarding.

Different Types of Creative Arts

There are different types of artists working in the world. Some are more obvious than others, such as dancers, actors, painters, sculptors, musicians and singers. However, writers, sound engineers, producers, film editors, directors and choreographers are often disguised by their behind-the-scenes work. It is easier to find your niche in mentoring artists when you examine how and where the creative arts are happening around you.

Different Types of Mentorship

To figure out how your aptitudes and skills can support an artist, think about some of the challenges that come with art. Finances, time management, organization, networking and publicity are things creative artists need to succeed. It takes time and effort to create art, no matter the medium. For instance, many creative people work more than one job to make time to create their art and make ends meet. As well, many promising artists are not known or visible to the public. There are different and equally valuable forms of mentorship that you can offer to a creative person.

Time: One way to mentor a creative artist is to volunteer your time to work with them. You might handle their publicity and marketing, help them advertise for upcoming shows, maintain their website or help set up before an event. Many creative people also need help with the business aspects of their art, from accounting to financing to organization.

Funding: All but the most successful creative artists tend to lack funding. Making art is expensive, from buying supplies to creating flyers to traveling to and from shows. If you believe in what a creative person is doing, consider helping to fund their art or donating to an organization to which they can apply for funding. You can also purchase their art to support them monetarily.

Networking: All creative artists working in visible ways need to expand their networks. All writers need readers, just as all actors and dancers need an audience. By sharing the art you love with your personal network, you help mentor creative people so they can work toward success.

By mentoring an artist, you become a part of their efforts. Thus, you leave your own mark on the arts that infuse life with meaning.

 About the Author:  Inspired by the example of leading international arts philanthropists such as John Studzinski, Carrie Decroix began her own local artist mentoring program to help underprivileged children learn how to draw and paint.