Mentorship Program

The KSMoCA Artist Mentorship Program

The KSMoCA Artist Mentorship Program pairs working artists and arts professionals in the Portland area with K - 5th grade students at Dr. MLK Jr. public school in a long term mentorship relationship. Volunteer mentors spend 40 minutes with their mentee each week in a self-directed, flexible studio time designed to foster the development of each student’s individual creative practice and encourage mutual exchange.

Students at Dr. MLK Jr. School hold a diverse set of intersectional identities. It is important to us that KSMoCA Artist Mentorship Program supports and reflects our students' experiences, and that we cultivate an environment of culturally responsive learning. While all artists are welcome to apply, we highly encourage applications from Black, Indigenous, and PoC artists and arts professionals, as well as artists with disabilities, queer artists, and others who are underrepresented in the arts community.

We recognize that artists, especially those who have been historically underrepresented in the art community, are often asked to donate their unpaid time and labor to institutions. While KSMoCA mentorships are unpaid at this time, we seek to build a mutually supportive program that benefits both our mentors and to our KSMoCA students. The KSMoCA Artist Mentorship Program offers mentors:

  • Group studies and discussions on alternative pedagogical texts.

  • Access to artist lectures, workshops and exhibitions at KSMoCA.

  • An interview in the Artist Mentorship Program annual publication.

  • Deeper connections with local artists who share similar values on art and education.

TRANSIT PASS FOR SELF-IDENTIFYING LOW INCOME MENTORS

Time, distance and resources can be barriers in volunteer programs. Many of our mentors make sacrifices to be part of this program. KSMoCA offers a *LIMITED* number of Trimet transportation passes to mentors who self-identify as low income and are in need of this resource. If a transit pass would help you be able to participate, please indicate in the application. [This information will be kept confidential].

This program is facilitated by Amanda Leigh Evans.

Click here to download a copy of
the 2018-2019 KSMoCA Mentorship Program publication.

How To Apply:

Deadline
October 20, 2019 for Fall cycle and January 1, 2020 for Spring Cycle. You can apply to the KSMoCA Artist Volunteer Mentorship Program by CLICKING HERE.

Mentorship Times

  • Thursdays 10:30 - 11:30 AM (40 minute session + weekly check in w/pedagogical resources)

  • Fridays 9:30 - 10:30 AM (40 minute session + weekly check in w/pedagogical resources)

  • In some cases it is possible that additional times may be arranged (8:40 AM - 3 PM, Monday - Friday)


Responsibilities and Requirements

  • Commit to a weekly volunteer mentor relationship with one KSMoCA student for the 2019-2020 school year (October through mid-May), with occasional exceptions.

  • Facilitate a fun, meaningful one-on-one art experience with your mentee.

  • Stay open and flexible to your mentee’s interests, needs and desires. Often this means going with the flow and with your intuition. Directing but not forcing.

  • Undergo a background check and attend an in-person orientation.

  • Follow Dr. MLK Jr. School’s safety policies (no publicly posted photos without consent, stay on the school property, always sign in/out, do not be alone with a student without a door open, use adult bathrooms and use non-toxic materials).

New mentorship cohorts begin twice a year: October and January. We will be in touch once the new cohort is beginning. Those who have questions can contact Amanda Leigh Evans at amaevans@pdx.edu