Creative Kernow Associates x New Creatives Cornwall: Design Group Mentoring
We are excited to run three mentoring groups for new creatives at the beginning of their career through the New Creatives Cornwall project between October 2024 and February 2025. This open call is for designers and makers who would like to develop their practice with the support of the group mentor Tara Ashe, founder and director of Block Design.
Deadline: 5pm on Monday 7th October
About Tara & Block Design
Block Design began in 2000, shortly after Tara graduated. Tara was keen to combine a passion for design with her engineering background, to create a range of functional, beautiful lifestyle products.
The first Block product was a vase, since then they have added desk accessories, jewellery and more homeware to the collection. Block works with the best independent retailers in the world such as Eataly and Papier Tigre. Their products can be found in design stores and museums internationally including Moma and Tate Modern. Block Design is also a certified B Corporation.
What Does This Offer?
This mentoring opportunity aims to support and guide those at the beginning of establishing a professional design/craft business. Over the four-month mentoring period, Tara will offer at least one one-to-one session and three group sessions, tailored to the group of designers/makers selected.
There are 5 places on this mentoring scheme. Areas for mentoring support could include:
- Developing and sustaining a business;
- Working on your brand and your audience/market;
- Exploring opportunities and direction of development.
The mentoring programme is fully-funded and there is no cost for the selected mentees to be part of the programme with travel costs to attend any in-person meet-up will also be covered. The mentees will also benefit from a 1-year free membership with Creative Kernow Associates.
Who Is This For?
To be eligible to apply for this opportunity, you must be based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and be within the first 2 years of your design/craft business. Although this opportunity is open to new creatives of any age, due to the requirements of our funder, priority will be given to artists who are under 30.
You do not need to have a formal higher education qualification to apply.
Selection
Mentees will be selected based on:
- Suitability of your practice to the opportunity;
- The impact this opportunity may have on you and your practice;
- The coherence of the cohort.
The selection panel are:
- Tara Ashe, Block Design
- Tonia Lu, Director of Creative Enterprise, Creative Kernow
How to Apply
Application online via https://form.jotform.com/CreativeKernow/cka-mentoring
Application deadline: 5pm on Monday 7th October
We hope to select and inform applicants of the outcome within 10 working days of the deadline.
If you have any difficulties completing the application or have any questions, please contact us at associates@creativekernow.org.uk.
About New Creatives Cornwall
Screen Cornwall, along with consortium partners Creative Kernow, Hall for Cornwall and AsONE, is leading New Creatives Cornwall – a creative careers programme funded by Cornwall Council 2022-2026. The New Creatives Cornwall programme, is a campaign designed to spotlight Cornwall’s vibrant creative sector and connect young talent with opportunities.
Find out more: https://www.instagram.com/newcreativescornwall/
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