ARTIST IN COMMUNITY MENTORSHIP 2023

Common Weal has been fortunate to be a partner in a municipal undertaking by the City of Prince Albert in the creation of a comprehensive Artist in Communities Mentorship Program. The program was developed to meet the need for more community-engaged art programming, as reflected in research and consultation by local curator Jesse Campbell.

The program has been steadily growing and maturing in response to local facilities bringing creative programming to their clients and to the regional artists as they mature in their practice of engaging with community groups. The program has taken a responsible approach in its commitment to continuous learning and professional development for the artists involved, providing opportunities for experience, training, and mentorship. Experienced community-engaged artists act as mentors to those newer to the practice, and artists are brought in from outside to community to stimulate conversation and exposure to new ideas and projects. Jesse works with the artists to secure funding and put together grants, gradually tutoring the artists and organizations in the craft of grant writing. The program has found success with organizations taking on the funding of their artists internally, and the concept of paying artist fees has started to become part of the expectation. These are great strides within the municipality. 

A newer aspect of the program is directed toward providing regular occasions for emerging and professional artists to meet for prompted conversations and fellowship, which has in itself been a great community builder and an important lifeline for artists living outside the larger centres. Northern Artistic Director Judy McNaughton has been an advisor during the development of the  Artist in Communities Mentorship Program and, as the program progresses, shares ideas and suggestions based on the history and practices of Common Weal. It continues to be gratifying to see engaged practices flourishing in Prince Albert and in the region.

As the number of artists grows and the programs become richer and more stable, the mentorship program proves again to be an effective model for developing a healthy arts ecosystem in the city and a model for municipal support of healthy communities.