*** Applications are now closed ***
Redeye's Graduate Mentoring Scheme recognises the leap from graduating to working within the photographic sector; and aims to support recent graduates through this period with mentoring sessions from industry professionals. Successful applicants will receive four one-hour mentoring sessions with a professional working within the arts, from curators to organisation directors to freelance photographers - we have all bases covered. These sessions will take place throughout the year so you can create goals with your mentor and track your progress periodically.
Following the success of our 2022 Graduate Mentoring Scheme we are very pleased to announce that the scheme is now available to anyone graduating from or leaving a Photography BA, MA or similar course in 2023.
There's a simple application process; details below. Successful applicants will receive four one-hour mentoring sessions, free of charge and delivered remotely over Zoom from summer 2023 to summer 2024.
Thank you to the photography organisations supporting this programme and the freelance practitioners offering in-kind support to emerging photographers. Redeye covers the additional costs of administering this scheme as part of our remit to support new and diverse talent.
This year we are very pleased that the mentoring is delivered in collaboration with The Association of Photographers, the leading trade association for photographers.
The deadline to apply is 11pm on 14th August 2023.
Testimonials from 2022;
I learned a lot from my mentor, she was extremely encouraging and shared a lot of her knowledge - it's invaluable information I would not otherwise have gotten access to. (2022 Mentee)
Mentoring is a huge pleasure for me - the opportunity to help an emerging artist is fulfilling and always challenging. My mentees have always been interested and engaging and I have benefitted from their views and ideas. (2022 Mentor)
It is always good to have some external support and input on one's practice, even more so if this comes from experienced artists within the same field. RedEyes' mentorship programme helped me gain confidence and tranquility of mind when approaching new projects. (2022 Mentee)
Mentoring is something that benefits both parties. It is refreshing, cultivated and a way to see important new work by important people who will make the future of the industry. (2022 Mentor)
To hear from 2020 graduates about their experiences of mentoring see here.
We want to thank all of our partners for their generosity in sharing their time and expertise. Our mentors for 2023/24 are...
Niamh Treacy - Curator & Coordinator at FORMAT International Photography Festival
Tamsin Silvey - Cultural Programme Curator at Historic England
Jean-Christophe Godet - Founder & Artistic Director at Guernsey Photo Festival and Artistic Director and Co-founder of GLAZ Rencontres Photographiques Rennes 2023 (France)
Clare Grafik - Head of Exhibitions at The Photographers Gallery
Liz Wewiora - Freelance Creative Producer and Head of Social Practice at Open Eye Gallery
Katy Barron - Gallery Director, Photography Curator and Chair of Photofusion
Ben Harman - Director at Stills: Centre for Photography
Joanne Coates - Visual Arts JPA 4 winner and Socially Engaged Documentary Photographer and Director at Roova Arts
Sean Patrick Campbell - Working Artist and Communications Manager at Stills: Centre for Photography
David Drake - Independent Curator and Director of the European Prospects Platform
Gwen Riley Jones - Socially Engaged Photographer in Residence at University of Salford Art Collection and Imaging Manager at The John Rylands Library
Charlie Booth - Interim Head of Programme at Redeye and Freelance Producer / Curator
How to Apply
Please send us a PDF including the following:
- Your name, date of graduation, name of course and university
- Up to 5 images of your work
- One or more links to your website and/ or social media account
- No more than 500 words on your work, how you would benefit from the mentoring, and your career aspirations for the next year
- Your PDF should be no larger than 10MB. Please make sure that it is web resolution.
Please send your PDF to info@redeye.org.uk by 11pm on 14th August 2023. Please include 'Graduate Mentoring Application' in the subject line of your email.
We will be scoring the applications based on your professionalism, the quality of the work and how much you would benefit from the mentoring, so please take that into consideration when preparing your application.
If you have any questions at all you are very welcome to email Rebecca, Redeye's Programme Producer at rebecca@redeye.org.uk.
We would like to use this mentoring opportunity to support those who are currently underrepresented in the industry. We therefore welcome applications from photographers who are Black, Asian or people from the Global Majority. Photographers who are LGTBQIA+, self-identify as disabled or neurodivergent or from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
We would like to use this mentoring opportunity to support those who are currently underrepresented in the industry. We therefore welcome applications from anyone facing additional barriers, especially photographers who are Black, Asian, or global majority people, LGBTQIA+, from lower socio-economic backgrounds, or who self-identify as disabled or neurodivergent.
If you would like any assistance with your application or would like to apply in a format that you are more comfortable with, please email Rebecca on rebecca@redeye.org.uk
FAQs
Q How will you match me to a mentor?
We will present each mentor with a shortlist of who we think they will best be able to support. This will be based on their specialisms in photography and your career aspirations. They will then make a choice based on your application.
Q Do I need to know my availability for the next year?
No you don't, you would be matched with your selected mentor at the end of August 2023 and you will then arrange directly with your mentor the four one to one sessions at times convenient for you both. We have a suggested schedule of one-hour mentoring sessions in September, November, February and May.
Q I've sent in my application, what to do if I haven’t had a confirmation email?
If you do not receive a confirmation and would like to confirm that your email has been received please email rebecca@redeye.org.uk.
Q When will I find out if I've been selected and how many people will you choose?
We aim to tell everyone by the end of August 2023. We would like to offer mentoring to as many graduates as we can. Last year we were able to support nearly half of those who applied so there is a reasonable chance of success.
Q I'm an MA student, can I apply?
Yes, you can apply as an MA student. However, please be aware that we are prioritising BA or equivalent students who are starting out on their careers.
Q What if I am not successful?
We will continue with our programme of events providing support to photographers, including our regular Critique Surgeries which provide similar specialist support. Membership pricing means you will be offered reduced prices on our events; so you can book a critique session for £10 member price instead of £30 for non-members. You can continue as a student member for £2.50 a month up to two years after graduating.
Q How are you making this free? Are there any other costs?
The four mentoring sessions will be offered free of charge to the selected 2023 graduates. Our mentors have agreed to help as part of their role at organisations partnering on this project. Or if they are freelance they are kindly giving their time for free, showing their passion for supporting those entering the photographic industry.
Q What should I expect from a mentoring session?
If you are successful we will send you further details about what happens next. In a typical session a mentor should be able to give you a wide range of advice and suggestions on improving your work and building your career. We expect these to be conducted by video link such as Teams or Zoom. Typically they might take between 40 minutes to an hour.
Q How should I prepare for a mentoring session?
Make sure your work is up to date and send any links to new work, or supporting material such as documents, PDFs or media files, in advance. It is very helpful to mentors if you present them with questions, or any particular topics you would like to discuss. Do prepare any specific questions you have in advance. Also have a notebook to hand.
Q I run a university photography course; how can we be more involved?
We have a growing list of supporting universities and colleges, who are helping us promote the scheme. If you would like to be one of those universities, please contact us before 14th August 2023.
Watch some videos from previous mentors and mentees here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtPtDG13TaQ
Brogan Main (illustrator/artist info)