The Importance of Peer Mentors

The Hothouse Mentorship Team (L-R) - Jassy Watson, Adrienne Williams, Shelley Pisani, Di Wills, Shawn Wondunna-Foley, Julie Barratt, Trudie Leigo, Rod Ainsworth, Wendy Olsen, David Quarrell and Melanie Doheny. Photography by Sabrina Lauriston.

I have recently had the pleasure of being invited to be a part of the Hothouse Mentorship Program being run by CQ RASN. Along with four other peers, I will be mentoring an artist from the Wide Bay Region to work with them on a project idea and make it a reality.

It reminded me how important mentors have been throughout my career. Working in the arts can sometimes be quite isolating and confining in an industry where intellectual property is highly guarded. It takes some thinking to find the right person. Often it takes time to build trust. But once that is established, having peers in the industry that you can call upon to bounce ideas off or to simply let off steam, is vital to our health as creative practitioners.

I am fortunate to have colleagues and friends that I can call on when I need to sound out a project concept, when I need to find a project partner or industry contact, or when I need to navigate risks or challenges. Sometimes this is over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Often it is via a late night text messages or emails.

I can't encourage you enough to find your people that can support you through your career journey. I am thankful every day for mine.