Join artsvest’s national network of sponsorship, marketing and board governance mentors.

artsvest, a mentorship training program designed to build capacity in Canada’s cultural sector, provides small to mid-sized arts, culture and heritage organizations with resources, expertise and training in marketing, board governance and sponsorship. And, we are now accepting new volunteers for our 2019-2020 program cycle!

What you’ll do as a mentor:
– Act as an advisor and facilitator for sponsorship, marketing and/or board governance content areas in group mentoring and one-on-one sessions for organizations across Canada.
– Support by hosting webinars on marketing, board governance and sponsorship as well as offering one on one sessions with mentees.
– Provide clear insight and feedback on topics relating to your field of expertise

Benefits of being in a Mentor:
– An invitation to attend artsvest mentor training, program celebrations, invitations to special B/A events, and other special offers
– Networking opportunities with other mentors in your industry;
– Official recognition as a B/A artsvest mentor via your LinkedIn and other social media networks, including B/A social media channels
– Access to B/A artsvest program materials
– That ‘feel good’ feeling you get by making a positive impact and helping to support and develop the capacity of arts & culture organizations across Canada

How B/A will support you:
– Mentor training materials and orientation;
– Flexible scheduling of mentoring sessions informed by your availability;
– Support and mediation in communication with mentees;
– Technical support before and during virtual mentoring sessions;
– Regular check-ins to ensure your mentorship experience is rewarding and meeting your expectations.

Who should apply:
Seasoned professionals from a not-for-profit or corporate background who have at least five years of experience in the areas of sponsorship, marketing and/or board governance in the cultural sector.

What’s the time commitment:
The artvest program is one year in length. The mentoring sessions begin in October 2019 and continue through to June 2020. Volunteer mentors are accepted on an ongoing basis and may join the program at any time.
Contribute to the program evaluation process by providing meaningful feedback on their experience;
Attend a mentor orientation and welcome session at the outset of the program.
5 hours per month during active months of mentorship;*
**Mentors are not always asked to volunteer each month, as program needs may vary.

What other mentors have to say:

“artvest mentoring has been an amazing experience. I have been introduced to so many wonderful people and arts organizations across the country, all sharing similar goals and challenges. The reward for my time spent connecting with these groups is receiving a call from one of them telling me they had a breakthrough with a new or existing corporate partner. These count as wins for the entire arts and culture community. Most days I feel that I am getting more from this mentoring opportunity than the mentees with whom I engage.” – Mary Ellen Davies, Director of Development at Confederation Centre of the Arts, PEI

The artsvest program provides critical knowledge and skills development to Canada’s cultural sector, allowing organizations of all sizes to learn the art of fundraising and capacity building. It is a privilege to be a mentor with the program, and it is extremely fulfilling to see the groups we work with flourish over the course of the program. – Jenn Shah, Director of Sponsorship Marketing, Hot Docs, Toronto

Some of the content areas and topics include:

• Board Governance
  – Recruitment, orientation & training
  – Board roles and structure
  – Diversity, inclusion and pluralism
  – Bylaws and legal requirements
• Fundraising and development
  – Sponsorship
  – Planning and prospecting sponsors
  – Activating and stewarding new sponsorship relationships
  – Developing successful sponsorship proposals
  – Developing a fundraising strategy
  – Stewardship
  – Cultural training
  – Engaging volunteers, boards and staff in your fundraising strategy
• Marketing & Communications
  – Developing and leveraging your brand
  – Audience development and retention
  – Public Relations and promotion
  – Social Media marketing and strategies

How to get involved:

To become a mentor, please complete the Mentor Statement of Interest and our artsvest Associate National Director will contact you with further information.

If you have any questions about the artsvest Mentorship program, please contact Jessica Vellenga, Associate National Director jessica@businessforthearts.org 416.869.3016 x229

B/A welcomes mentor applications from all qualified individuals and encourages applications from equity-seeking communities, including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.