Applications for GEAMP are CLOSED. Guelph-Wellington based emerging Artists, Musicians and Cultural Managers are encouraged to apply for the 2025 Guelph Emerging Artist Mentorship program. Please read the application requirements below carefully and submit the online form at the bottom of the page.
Application Deadline: Applications are now closed, thank you.
The Guelph Emerging Artist Mentorship Project (GEAMP) is a unique opportunity for emerging artists to receive support in the critical transition into professional practice. This project is presented by GAC in partnership with the University of Guelph School of Fine Art and Music (SOFAM).
Through the project, emerging musicians, visual artists, and cultural managers work with established-artist mentors to develop the professional networks, business and management skills needed for creative careers in Guelph. The collaboration has provided them with valuable opportunities to work creatively with each other and with established arts professionals, to promote their work, and to gain experience in curation, social media, marketing/publicity, graphic design, and more.
Participants in the project include SOFAM students and recent grads, as well as other emerging Guelph-Wellington artists. Participants have a discipline focus in visual or media arts, music, or cultural management.
Artist participants will be expected to:
1) engage in mentorship sessions with an established-artist mentor (4-6 hours per participant), who will share their own experience and perspective
2) collaborate with other project participants on a finale exhibition or performance, with support from mentors.
In leading the project, Guelph Arts Council will abide by its Code of Conduct and privacy policy, and expects its project partners, participants, and mentors to do the same.
Timeline: The Project will be implemented from October – December, 2025. Participation in the project requires a commitment during this period to a minimum of four hours participation in mentoring sessions and to collaborative planning of a group exhibition project.
Location: Training, mentorship, and other project sessions will take place in person, if possible, but GAC will assist in organizing online spaces for sessions if needed.
Application Requirements and Documents
- Current CV or Artist Bio (max. 4 pages) that includes artistic activities for the past 12 to 18 months.
- Three to seven images, MP3 files, or video links of previous work, if applicable
- List of images, MP3 files, or video links: Include file names, title, description, medium/instrument, dimensions (if applicable), date completed or performed, if applicable
- A brief letter (150 – 500 words) describing your interest in the project, your artistic and career goals, the areas of your practice you are seeking mentorship for and how you expect to benefit from the project. Please be specific – this letter is a key element in pairing you with your mentor and is a guide for your mentor.
Applications Closes: Monday, September 15 at 11:59 pm
Notification: Monday, September 29, 2025
GEAMP Frequently Asked Questions
How much time will the program take?
The project will be implemented from October – December, 2025. Participation in the project requires a commitment during this period of a minimum of 4 hours of mentorship sessions and 2-6 hours of collaborative planning for the group exhibition project. To get the most out of the program we recommend planning for a 10-15 hour commitment over the course of the program.
How do you pair Mentees with Mentors?
Mentees are paired with mentors based on the professional development that the mentee is seeking, with special consideration going into their common interests, goals and experiences, as well as commonalities in artistic practices and endeavors.
Will this program help me to develop my art practice?
It is virtually impossible to separate the business of art from the art itself and many mentee’s will seek feedback from their mentors on their work. There have often been great musical and artistic collaborations that take place between the pairings. Some years mentee’s have organized group critiques to help provide a critical dialogue for their work. Please be specific on what you are hoping to take away from the program as it will help guide us in your mentor pairing. Do not be surprised if your mentor does not work in the same medium/style as you – we often make pairings based on the lived experiences and guidance artists can provide you rather than what you can learn from their artwork.
What things could your mentor help you with?
- Finding balance in living a creative life
- Recording Music
- Writing Contracts
- Pricing artwork
- Selling artwork
- Marketing/Online presence
- Grant writing
- Applying for shows/opportunities
- Help accessing resources
- Building community
- GEAMP exhibition/event preparation
- Artistic or cultural management collaboration
- Studio/Gallery visits
- Artwork critiques
What do the mentorship sessions look like?
These one-on-one mentorship meetings can look different for everybody! In the past participants have met for coffee, gone to exhibitions together, visited a studio space, or maintained a group chat where work and ideas are shared back and forth. Find what works for you and your mentor!
How do I know if I am the right fit for this program?
This program is for emerging artists that are ready to take the next step professionally, this does not mean you need to be a recent art school graduate. This program offers critical support during your transition into a professional practice and a great opportunity to connect into the Guelph arts community.
What does this program offer other than mentorship?
This program provides a community and many opportunities to connect and collaborate – what your cohort of mentee’s choose to do with that community and the support from GAC is up to you. Past collaborations have included: artist interviews, zines, group critiques, art market pop-ups, community performances and grant writing clinics. Mentee’s will be invited to attend GAC’s annual Opportunity Knocks panel discussion. All the mentees work together throughout the program to organize, curate and promote a group exhibition/show to bring together the culminating efforts of your time spent in the program. Many members of the Guelph arts community will be present at the reception providing another opportunity to network.
How is the group show organized?
The group show is YOUR show. It is whatever you want it to be! We understand that you may have limited or no experience participating in a group exhibition but we are here to support your learning and growth in this area.
Skills/experiences you can gain in the process:
- Curation, following a theme and creating a visually appealing collection of work and ideas
- Visual and Audio set up
- Proper installation of artwork
- Event planning
- Working collaboratively as a team
- Creating and distributing promotional materials
Guelph Arts Council will offer our support and expertise where/when needed, treat us as a resource/support tool to help you organize your exhibition, this means it will be your responsibility as a team to complete the above mentioned tasks
If you have more questions about taking part in the Guelph Emerging Artist Mentorship Project please contact GEAMP Coordinator, Maddy ([email protected])
The project launched in 2017 with support from the Ontario150 Partnership Project, and has continued with support from RBC. In each round, the emerging artists’ experience culminates in a group exhibition of their work that they plan, promote, and install with support from their mentors. Since 2017, the Guelph Emerging Artist Mentorship Project has paired over 61 emerging musicians, visual artists, and cultural managers with established-artist mentors.
GAC and SOFAM are grateful for project support from the RBC Emerging Artists Project, which helps artists bridge the gap from emerging to established.
Watch one of our past participant’s speak to their experience in the program:
