Mentorship Program

Overview

In 2008 the ADC launched its Mentorship Program. The Mentorship Program provides funding for recent graduates of accredited design programs to work with an established designer on a professional production. The goal of the Mentorship Program is to facilitate the "trickle down" of the knowledge and experience of ADC’s established members to our up-and-coming talent as well as to create networking and development opportunities for both participants.

To apply, a Mentor and Protégé decide on a suitable project (one that maximizes the learning opportunities for the Protégé) and submit the forms and documentation listed below. ADC does not match Mentors and Protégés.

Three awards of $1500 are granted each year. $1300 is allocated to the Protégé to cover all or part of his or her contract fees for the project and the remaining $200 is put towards the Mentor’s annual dues for the following year.

PLEASE NOTE:  AS OF 2012, THIS PILOT PROGRAM HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FOR REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT. 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Protégé must have graduated from a recognized post-secondary theatre training program (University, College, or Conservatory Program) within two years of the deadline date. The Protégé must be a member in good standing of ADC.
  2. Mentor must have a minimum of five years of professional theatre design experience and be a member in good standing of ADC.

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS and FORM

The application (see form below) must be submitted by the Protégé to the Director of Member Services and Communication. The Protégé must include in a PDF attachment the following information:

  1. Contact Information of Protégé and Mentor;
  2. Design Discipline(s) of Protégé and Mentor;
  3. Start and completion date of project;
  4. Name of school, degree, degree program and date of graduation of Protégé;
  5. Title and short description of project (one or two sentences);
  6. Detailed description of project (project overview, and key project dates);
  7. Artistic Statement or summary of project’s artistic goals and objectives of Protégé;
  8. Supporting Documentation
    1. Protégé CV
    2. Mentor CV
    3. Letter of Support from Mentor (that clearly supports the artistic statement and project description, and comments on applicant’s ability, potential, and the value of the project for Protégé professional development as a designer)

Once the project is complete the Protégé must notify the ADC business office submit the evaluation form before the grant will be disbursed.

 

Form Download: the ADC Mentorship Program Evaluation Form can be downloaded here (PDF).

 

DEADLINE, SELECTION PROCESS and NOTIFICATION

The complete application inclusive of supporting documentation must be received by email by the Director of Member Services and Communication by May 15th of each year.

Applications are reviewed by Director of Member Services and Communication and one Director of the Board, to determine short list based on eligibility requirements.

Final selection is by random draw, made annually, by June 1st.

All applicants will be notified of the results of the draw by email by June 15th.

 

GRANT DISBURSEMENT

The entire grant will be disbursed upon receipt of notice of completion of the project and the evaluation form by the ADC business office from the Protégé. Please allow for one month of processing before the release of the cheque.