Cockpit Arts is a provider of workspace and business support to over 170 designer-makers at two centres in Holborn and Deptford in London. Its pioneering year-long Developing Professional Practice programme (DPP) was established in 2000 and is now recruiting for its fifth cohort, says Kath Osborn. The programme, designed to fit the calendar of a designer-maker, is broken into three modules: business, marketing and creative resources.
A key component of the creative resources module is the opportunity to work with a mentor, involving approximately ten hours of contact time over a three- to six-month period. Participants forward nominations for a mentor and work with the DPP trainers to approach these individuals or be matched with a creative or business professional from the Cockpit Arts pool. This year?s DPP participants are just starting out with their mentors and the calibre of new advisors has been exceptional, reflecting the aspirations of the start-up businesses and the willingness of creative industry professionals to help.
Over the years participants have had wide-ranging results from their mentoring, and various keys to successful mentoring have been identified. Firstly, respect and understanding is paramount. Allowing participants to contribute to the selection process means many practitioners have been able to work with someone they admire and with whose work they are familiar. Similarly, an initial meeting will allow a potential mentor to assess whether they can offer support. The better prepared an individual is in deciding on the area of their business with which they need help, the more likely they will be to identify the right mentor. In cases where time is restricted some email or phone meetings can be just as effective as meeting in person. Planning at the start of the sessions ensures that time is allocated to important areas, whilst allowing new opportunities to be discussed as they arise.
Last year Sinead Finnegan, a ceramicist, was mentored by fellow ceramicist, Clare Twomey. Sinead had noticed Clare?s work at an exhibition at the Crafts Council and felt that she wanted to develop her practice along similar lines. As well as covering practical issues about being a craftsperson and relevant grants and galleries, the pair touched on theoretical discussions that Sinead had missed out on since college. Clare encouraged Sinead to focus on what she wanted to achieve over the next five years and the discussions led Sinead to apply for a full-time residency in a school. Being able to show a draft of her application to an experienced professional enabled Sinead to prepare thoroughly and articulate her ideas succinctly, landing her the job and teaching position.
For some creative practitioners starting up in business, the development of a mentoring relationship can be their first opportunity to relate to someone else as the professional business person they want to become. For a few it is also the start of a lifelong friendship. Setting up in business on your own is challenging, and having a supportive and knowledgeable advisor can help in focusing on a clear direction and creating the best chance of success.
Kate Osborn is Education Projects Officer at Cockpit Arts. t: 020 7419 1969;
e: kate@cockpitarts.com