Mentorship Program

Professional Development

Mentorship Program is accepting applications. Deadline December 15, 2023 

Apply Now

Program Description

ADC’s national paid mentorship program is a unique mentoring experience created for designers by designers. Application is done by the mentee. The mentee will have contacted a dedicated mentor and identified at least one of the mentors project for them to work on from initial design discussions to opening night. The mentee and mentor will determine the nature of the working relationship based on each mentee’s needs and desired learning outcomes.

Mentees will receive a fee of $2,500 and mentors will receive an honorarium of $750. Applications are open to all, with a priority to those who identify as Indigenous, Black, Person of Colour, 2SLGBTQIAP, Deaf, Person with Disabilities, women, or intersections of any of the above.

Applicant Eligibility

  • Applications must have a demonstrated commitment to a career in theatre.
  • The applicant must be at least 19 years old.
  • The applicant must apply with a mentor identified. This partnership must be approved by all parties before making their application.
  • As this is funded by the Government of Canada, applicants must be eligible to work in Canada.
  • The ADC welcomes and encourages applications from individuals who identify as part of equity-seeking groups such as Indigenous, Black, Person of Colour, 2SLGBTQIAP, Deaf, Persons with Disabilities, women, or intersections of any of the above.
  • If you have any questions or require accommodations to apply and/or would like to submit your materials in an alternative format, please contact denyse@designers.ca and we will be able to support you through email, phone or video call. 

Dates to Remember

  • Applications open: October 1, 2023
  • Applications close: December 15, 2023
  • Successful applicants announced: January 2, 2024
  • Training must be completed between January 2, 2024 and July 31, 2024

To Apply:

Below is a list of the questions you will need to answer in the application form:

  • In which design discipline(s) would you like to be mentored in?
  • Who is the mentor with whom you are applying to work with?
  • Please include one page pdf from your chosen Mentor acknowledging their commitment, include brief bio, email address and contact information.
  • Why have you chosen this mentor?
  • On what production are you applying to be mentored on? (Please include the title of the show, the theatre company, and the opening night date.)
  • How could this program help you achieve your professional design goals? Please answer in 100 words or fewer.
  • Please tell us about yourself in 250 words or fewer. Is there anything additional that you would like us to know?

Résumés should be a pdf that does not exceed one page in length (Max 10MB). Please include any education or training, even if it has not yet been completed.

Evaluation Process:

  • The applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. All applicants will be contacted by email with results regardless of success.
  • A short list of applicants may be interviewed by the selection committee.

The successful candidate will agree to the following: 

  • Work with the mentor and the Mentorship Coordinator to create a self-directed process on one complete project.
  • Project Reports, successful applicants will be required to submit a final report. Final payment is contingent on receipt of the final report, which is due one week after the end of the mentorship period. This content is to be determined in consultation with the Mentorship Program Director. Parts of the final report may be used in publicity material.
  • Funding Acknowledgement, all programs and promotion that include the mentee’s name must acknowledge the following: “The services of [mentee’s name] were made possible through the Associated Designers of Canada Mentorship Program funded by the Government of Canada”.