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Group Mentorship Program

Applications for 2024 programs are now closed.
There is still space in Creative Writing or Video Game Design – email mentor@creativemanitoba.ca to inquire!

This program offers youth aged 16-19 the chance to participate in an introductory group mentorship program run by partnering industry organizations in a choice of four different arts disciplines. Each program is FREE to accepted youth and offers 8 introductory group sessions between February – May. Programs include working with a lead mentor and guest mentors who are professionals in an arts career, collaborating with other youth participants, and working on a project for a final wrap-up presentation. It aims to expose younger individuals to what a career in the arts looks like, and to inspire the possibility of a career in the arts. Program disciplines are subject to change year to year. The in-person programs will offer bus tickets to those who need, and provide snacks at each session.

Creative Manitoba pledges to make its best efforts to prioritize opportunities for people with diverse backgrounds or from equity-seeking communities, with the goal of 50% of programs holding space for participants who identify as IBPOC or from equity-seeking groups.

1. Unleashing Your Creative Voice Through Film

Winnipeg Film Group Logo

Partner: Winnipeg Film Group
Dates:
Wednesdays – February 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3,17, Final screening Mon April 29
Times: 6:00 – 8:30 pm
Lead Mentor: Ben Williams
Location: Winnipeg Film Group – 100 Arthur St #304

Join independent film professional Ben Williams (Executive Director of The 48 Film Festival) — for a filmmaking workshop series that helps youth discover “their” voice and create original work as an artist and storyteller. Ben will teach students how to harness their creativity to make meaningful films that connect with an audience. The workshop will cover all stages in the filmmaking process from pre-production, production and post; along with learning the various aesthetic and technical skills that make up a film. There will also be classes dedicated to Film Industry Professionals who will speak on career paths and job opportunities in Manitoba.

This program is a great place for artists and creative types to collaborate, create new work, and develop a new pathway towards making films that express the power of one’s creative voice. This will be a nine-week filmmaking workshop, including a final screening in the renowned Dave Barber Cinematheque Theatre. We will meet up, once a week, in person, on the 3rd floor at the Winnipeg Film Group at 100 Arthur Street Winnipeg — we are prepared to conduct workshops online on days that prevent us from meeting in person.


2. Creative Careers in Music

Partner: Manitoba Music
Dates: Thursdays – March 7, 14, 21, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2, Final presentations May 9
Times 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Lead Mentor: Jason Burnstick (of Burnstick)
Location: Manitoba Music – 530-112 Market Avenue

This year’s music-focused mentorship explores the building blocks of a career in music and the connection between the business and the creative process. Lead by award-winning artist and composer Jason Burnstick, participants will learn from local industry experts about songwriting and composing, digital marketing, event promotion, releasing independent music, and more! They’ll also have the opportunity to create their own original music together in small groups, guided by mentors, learning about co-writing with an introduction to music engineering and production. We’ll close the program with a final presentation in the studio where the participants will share their new creations. 

Group Sessions March 7, March 14, April 11, April 25 @ Manitoba Music
Taking place at the Manitoba Music office, group sessions will focus on the fundamentals of the music business and its different career paths. Sessions will feature guest speakers to explore these topics and share their own expertise. These gatherings will also allow you to meet and get to know the other participants. Sessions include: Welcome & Intro to the Music Business, Intro to Songwriting and Composing, Booking Shows & Building Connection, and Digital Marketing & Releasing Music.

Break Out Groups March 21, April 4, April 18, May 2, May 9 (final sharing)
In addition to the business-focused sessions, participants will break out into small groups with mentors in a specialized area in the studio focused on your choice of:
Songwriting – Work with your program mentor to sharpen your songwriting skills and learn how to co-write with others, or explore composing for film and TV. Experience what it’s like to be in a real writing room.
Music Engineering & Production – Want to learn to record, mix, and produce music? Get hands-on experience with your mentor in each session  as they show you different techniques to create the sound you want.


3. Creative Writing: Embracing Your Identity

Partner: Manitoba Writers’ Guild & Winnipeg Public Library
Dates:
 Wednesdays – March  6, 13, 20, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8 (final event)
Times 5:30-7:45 pm
Lead Mentor:  Carrie Hatland
Location: Millennium Library – Mona Gray Room / Final class – Carol Shields Auditorium

We are going to explore how writers incorporate culture in their writing. Published authors will come as guest mentors to share their insights and help us consider our own cultures and how to embrace our own identities in our writing. They will also guide us on exciting career options in the literary field!

Every second session will include a peer review session, where we share our writing in a critique circle. These skills are used in university creative writing classes, and we want to give you a head start in developing these valuable skills. The final session will include a formal reading where writers will read to family, friends, and peers and celebrate their hard work. You will leave this program with an idea of how writing can fit into your future. We can’t wait to see you there!


4. Environment Art 101: Creating Video Game Props

Partner: New Media Manitoba
Dates:
Wednesdays – March  6, 13, 20, April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8 (final event)
Times: 5:30-7:30
Lead Mentor: Olivia Wilde
Location: New Media Manitoba – 62 Albert St #100

Environment Art 101 is a perfect mentorship session for students who want to begin learning about how environments in video games are made!  From realism to stylized, you’ll learn how the pros do it with no frills attached.

Through this program, students will learn the latest version of Blender (a free, open-source 3D modelling software) and use it to create a set of themed, high-quality environment props to render! There will also be local industry guest speakers coming in to share their journeys and insights.


HOW TO APPLY:

  1. Read through the program details above and pick the program you are interested in
  2. Download the required nominator form and have it completed by a teacher or unrelated adult familiar with your work
  3. If you are under 18 download the required permission form and have it completed by your parent or guardian
  4. Creative Writing and Music programs give you the option to share sample materials that you will need to collect and save to attach or provide links for as well. You will see these questions in the application once you click “Apply Now”.
  5. Click APPLY NOW below, read through questions, fill in all answers and attach all require forms
  6. If your application is successfully submitted, you will be brought to a confirmation page. If you hit submit and this does not happen, scroll up and check for any error highlights to fix and resubmit

    *TIPS
    – Copy and paste your answers into a Word doc in case you need to re-submit or want to edit ahead of time
    – Be sure to include your name on all attachments (Save As: “YourName-GroupMentorship2024”)
    – You will have the option to save & send yourself an incomplete application to continue at a later time
    – Make sure all attachments are in PDF unless otherwise specified

If you have questions at any point during the application process, do not hesitate to contact the Mentorship Program Manager mentor@creativemanitoba.ca.


Mentorship Spotlights From Previous Programs


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