Catapult FAQ

How will Guildhouse support me in the mentorship?

Guildhouse offers $7,000 per mentorship and acts as an administrator and advisory support for both the mentee and mentor. Guildhouse will issue mid and end reports for participant feedback and connect throughout the mentorship.

The mentorship is self-directed. However, Guildhouse will support the mentee and mentor where needed.

How do I choose my mentor?

As Catapult is an artist-led mentorship, your mentor will be independent and have a strong arts practice. A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor who offers support and constructive feedback.

Consider the following when selecting a mentor:

  • What experience can the mentor bring to my practice?
  • What qualities within the artist or their work would my practice benefit from?
  • What are my career goals and how do they align with my proposed mentor?
  • Does the mentor have capacity and time to participate?
  • Choose someone who is not only supportive but challenging.
How do I approach my mentor?

If you’re familiar with the mentor, present a short but concise plan for the mentorship. Outline your objectives, aspirations and what you hope their role will contribute and provide to your practice. From the outset, establish the structure (i.e. contact time) and their fee.

If you do not personally know your mentor, opt for an introductory email that outlines your experience, practice, the proposed mentorship structure and what is expected from both parties. If needed, Guildhouse can assist with introductions.

What should my mentorship project look like?

‘You’ are your Catapult mentorship. The mentorship outcome is the growth and development to specific areas of your practice, as identified through goals. Both mentee and mentor will co-identify goals specific to the mentee’s intentions and experience. As learning and growth is Catapult’s focus, a public outcome is not expected (e.g. catalogue, exhibition). The mentorship prioritises meaningful exchange and development, rather than material outcomes.

Advice for being a great mentee

Be clear in your needs but be flexible with outcomes. There may be some unexpected results as your mentorship runs its course, so remain open to the process. Respect your mentor and remain committed. Demonstrate that the mentor’s time is valued and that you’re thoughtfully engaging. The mentor will critique your practice and methodology, so be open to feedback. You will need to prepare for critical dialogue and constructive criticism. It is reasonable to not agree with all the advice a mentor provides. Discuss such areas openly and remain receptive to each other’s perspectives.

Advice for being a great mentor

Be genuine and generous. Provide advice that supports and challenges the mentee. Research the mentee and check that their goals are in line with your expertise. Be clear in your expectations, potential deliverables and the project timeline.  Be forthcoming about the trials and tribulations in your practice, including your own mistakes. Providing a realistic picture of your work will allow the mentee to glean insight into the multifaceted nature of creative practice.

Can I apply as a regional artist?

Yes! Regional artists are encouraged to apply. Any necessary travel costs must be included in your budget. As a Catapult program partner, Country Arts SA supports Guildhouse’s commitment to ensuring regional artists are included in our programs. To check if you’re based regionally, visit here.

What does a mentorship timeline and budget look like?

Timelines and budgets often work together.

Timelines are a key aspect of the application and should highlight important dates. Your timeline needs to be realistic and convince assessors that you can deliver goals. Make sure the timeline is practical rather than aspirational. Set out a plan and then identify what is feasible. In case travel cannot occur, outline a contingency (e.g. Zoom calls), as assessors need to know that outcomes can be achieved regardless. Adjust your goals where necessary and format your timeline in a succinct list or table.

The budget should include balanced income and expenditure. When listing expenditure, consider the number of hours worked by mentee and mentor, travel, accommodation or material costs. Guildhouse suggests NAVA contractor rates as a guide, with the potential to be negotiated between parties – mentee $50-$60 per hour, mentor $120 per hour. Although the budget does not cover equipment, it extends to equipment hire and resource subscriptions. Income will include the $7,000 Catapult mentorship fee, plus any additional income streams (grants or personal monies).

Guildhouse believes in the payment of artists’ time and expertise. Budgets that do not allocate payment to both mentee and mentor will not be considered by the Selection Panel.

See our budget toolkit for more advice.

Developing support material

Images: Include high quality images of your work. Often, images are the first way that people connect with an artist’s practice. Guidance on taking photographs of your work can be found here, as images needn’t be professional quality to support an application.

Support Letter: Select someone with a good understanding of your practice who can speak positively about your capacity to deliver your goals. Ask well in advance and provide dot points to guide their letter, ensuring to make it relevant to the opportunity. Your proposed mentor cannot write the Support Letter.  

If my mentorship is not going to plan, how do I navigate this?

Always keep an open line of communication and discuss any issues as soon as they arise. Be clear about the difference between opposing opinions on subjective or creative matters, and the issues that might be preventing your mentorship from progressing. Set milestone dates to ensure you’re collectively achieving goals. Formalise an end date at the outset of your mentorship so there are clear parameters to work toward.

Although Catapult is self-directed, we are here to support. If needed, reach out to your key Guildhouse contact throughout the mentorship.

Will my mentorship be documented?

Guildhouse may engage a photographer or filmmaker to document the project outcomes. Participation in this process is a condition of undertaking the opportunity. You are also required to submit visual documentation throughout the mentorship experience. Guildhouse collects information from the program to attract potential project partners for reporting requirements and for use on social media.

I’ve previously been a recipient of a Catapult mentorship, can I apply?

No – previous Catapult mentorship recipients are ineligible to reapply.

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For further support, contact Guildhouse via guildhouse@guildhouse.org.au or (08) 8410 1822.

Images (L-R): Elyas Alavi, One Hundred Thirteen (installation view), 2018-19. Photograph: Sam Roberts.