We are accepting applications for Visual Arts Nova Scotia’s Mentorship Program. The program pairs emerging artists with established artists to take part in a ten-month mentorship from September to June. Focusing on supporting the goals and ambitions of emerging artists throughout the province, mentors may be asked to provide support in any one or more of the following areas: proposal development for exhibitions, grant writing assistance, artist statement development, technical advice, critiques, thematic development, networking, and budgeting. Over the course of the program, mentors will meet with mentees individually at least once a month, and additionally four times as a group, with the program culminating in a group exhibition.

After extensive research, including a survey and months of interviews with emerging artists, mentors, former program participants, and arts organizations, VANS will be changing the mentorship program to better fit the needs of emerging artists. This will happen in phases, the first of which is an improved, streamlined application process that will hopefully be more accessible.

Acknowledging that artists in rural and urban areas have very different experiences and needs, the Mentorship Program will run two pilot versions: in 2025-26 VANS will only accept applications from emerging artists in or near Halifax. In 2026–27 VANS will only accept applications from rural artists (location TBD). 

Recognizing that equity-deserving artists face additional barriers to a career in the arts, the jury will give special consideration to artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour.

For more information on the program, including the full call for applications, program information, application requirements, and eligibility, please visit: https://visualarts.ns.ca/program/mentorship-program/.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 5pm AT. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Want to learn more about the Mentorship Program?
There will be a Mentorship Program info session over Zoom on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 7 pm AT. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eqiJ7C8ETd-XNV4gnQtsrw.

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Check out the current Mentorship Program‘s exhibition Mented at the Craig Gallery at Alderney Landing in Dartmouth July 2 –  27, 2025. Join us for the opening reception Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 4 – 6 pm and the Emerging Artist Talk (in-person) on Saturday, July 19, 1 pm.

By investing intensely in a few dedicated individuals each year, the Mentorship Program contributes to the overall strength and sustainability of the visual arts community in Nova Scotia.