THIS IS WHO WE ARE MENTORING PROGRAMME: REFRAMING THE MARGINS
THIS IS WHO WE ARE (TIWWA) is a UK-Australian movement of intergenerational & intersectional women artists, producers & creatives of colour who are transforming sectors, thinking & spaces. With heritages including African and Caribbean, First Nations, West, South and South East Asian origins, we are amplifying our collective power through arts & cultural events, socials, professional development resources & gatherings which champion the values of social justice, creativity & care. The programme was initially formed to be part of the British Council’s UK-Australia Season 21 - 22. It has been extended into 2024 through some funding from the British Council.
Kath Melbourne, Australian-based arts consultant and Melanie Abrahams, UK-based arts curator and producer, have been mentoring up to thirty first nations and global majority women artists, producers and creatives.
The mentees have been benefitting in a variety of ways: a sense of connection, an encouraging sounding board, the potential for global and cross-cultural perspectives, intersectional conversations, deep listening, clarity, and general support in the ways that they need. Each mentee has receive one or more one-to-one online sessions, and in addition there have been professional development (PD) sessions on themes including wellbeing, mapping your career and leadership. The sessions have been offered free of charge and funded through the TIWWA programme and more recently through the British Council (Australia).
Take a look at the artists and creative professionals who have been part of the programme so far:
Links for more information
TIWWA Site: http://www.renaissanceone.co.uk/this-is-who-we-are
Kath Melbourne’s Site: https://kathmelbourne.com.au/tiwwa-mentoring/
Melanie Abraham’s Site: http://www.melanieabrahams.co.uk/
For media enquiries about the programme: hq@renaissanceone.co.uk and thisiswhoweare@gmail.com.
Hashtag social media #TIWWAmentoring
The mentoring programme is part of This Is Who We Are which is part of the UK-Australia Season and it has been co-curated by Kath Melbourne and Melanie Abrahams
THE MENTEES
ABOUT THE MENTORS
Melanie Abrahams
I have over twenty years as an arts producer and curator, and offer experience and abilities as a mentor, advisor, public speaker and coach. In the last few years I have mentored over fifty artists to give back, to offer out my experiences, and to engage in reciprocity, two-way conversations and the learning and deep listening that comes through mentoring.
“For me, mentoring is communication – an exchange of knowledge and insights. When it’s good, it’s attuned to what a person most needs at that time. At the very least it offers a sympathetic ear – someone making time to listen to you. From early on, I read voraciously, listened to the radio, and avidly consumed words. This experience means that I encourage ‘giving an account’ where I can.”
Tammy Reynolds, writer and disability activist, Liverpool: It was incredibly useful, and inspiring. It helped me move forward. I don’t think I would have done that myself.
Yvie Holder, memoirist and writer, York: It was wide-ranging and focused on specifics to help me see how to move forward; it was helpful to discuss my work in the context of the Caribbean diaspora, with someone who understands it. I haven’t had a conversation in that way before.
Crista Ermiya, writer and editor, North East: It is one of Melanie’s strengths that she is able to discern where there is a crossover of interests in fostering relationships. Having a mentor outside my immediate environment with whom to discuss issues has been incredibly useful. I’ve learnt valuable lessons about communication, utilising advocates, and leading on change that will stand me in good stead. I’m more open to mentoring and able to look at personal progress on my own.”
Kath Melbourne
Kath Melbourne’s career has encompassed leadership and executive roles leading national grant programs and strategies, as well as in the private creative sector, festivals and NFP's. During her time as Director of OYEA and Artstart at the Australia Council for the Arts she oversaw JUMP Mentoring- Australia’s biggest multi-year national arts mentoring program. Kath currently works as a consultant, providing high-level strategic/business advice.
“Mentoring to me is about the generous exchange of ideas focussed on the growth of the mentee. It’s about meeting the mentee where they are at with a sense of open curiosity and deep listening. Sometimes the issue they want to talk through is granula, other times it’s expansive and on the best occasions as the mentor you can be the person that undoes the knot, unlocks the door or creates one of those magic ‘oh yeah’ moments!” Kath Melbourne
“I reached out to Kath for advice in a fit of panic. Her approach was simple, she did her homework on my situation, allowed me to share my frenzied mess of confusion and then talked me through the options, gave insight on the players involved and guided me to the best solution!
Anna Louise Paul- Dance Maker: Kath is astute, clear, professional and kind. She was efficient with our allotted time and in the end gave more support than I ever expected. You won’t find a better consultant.”
