INCCA Mentoring Programme

Posted on Wed, 08/15/2018 - 17:18
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The INCCA mentoring programme: connecting, sharing and growing together.

The INCCA Mentoring programme, launched in the fall of 2018, aims to connect emerging conservators, or those new to the conservation of contemporary art, with recognised and established conservation professionals. It will allow the fostering of meaningful one-on-one mentoring experiences around specific short-term activities, and also the creation of longer-term professional relationships.

Many of us in the conservation world have had the good fortune of finding professional mentors, and experiencing the benefits of mentorship. These are numerous and depend on individual relationships, but overall entail: receiving advice and guidance with professional choices, career paths, and/or work matters, help in making connections with colleagues, and advancing our careers in general. However, finding a mentor does not always happen spontaneously, while many established conservators might worry about the time commitment of long-term mentoring schemes.

As the largest and most active network for professionals associated with the conservation of contemporary art, INCCA is uniquely placed to explore and initiate mentoring opportunities that are well-structured, and will improve the networking benefits for its members and the field.

Read more about the launch in the article from the IIC Newsletter here. There were 10 mentors volunteered for the speed mentoring session and spoke with 30 mentees. You can find the list of mentors here. 7 pairs of mentors and mentees worked on the presentation scheme. You can request the list of mentees, their papers/poster and mentors by contacting the INCCA  Coordinator.

 

Principally, the INCCA mentoring programme consists of two schemes:

Conference presentations

This scheme pairs the mentee with a mentor in the lead-up to, and during, a major conference at which the mentee is presenting a paper or poster: 

  • In the lead up to the conference, the mentor gives advice to the mentee on their presentation and/or poster, giving feedback on the content, format and delivery. This interaction would largely take place via emails, phone calls, or video conferencing.
  • During the conference, the mentor takes the mentee 'under their wing' and makes introductions to other established professionals in the field at the conference, and draws attention to the work of the mentee.
  • After the conference there is no further commitment by the mentor, although it is hoped that a long-term relationship would develop between mentor and mentee.

Speed Mentoring Session

Inspired by and modelled after speed dating, this scheme creates the chance to have short periods of one-on-one time with established professionals in the field, without all the normal distractions associated with conferences:

  • A list of mentors is circulated in the lead up to a conference and potential mentees can book a short individual session (about 10 minutes) with one of them.
  • The session is an opportunity to ask the mentor anything. You can talk about them, about you, or about the field in general. 
  • During this time, nobody will interrupt you, you will not have to pluck up the courage to introduce yourself, or worry about how to get out of an endless or waning conversation! At the end of the allocated time period, a bell will ring, and you will say farewell and allow the next mentee to sit down. 

Benefits of the INCCA mentorship programme

 

For Mentees

  • Increased networking opportunities at conferences and similar events with a wider group of established colleagues
  • Specific guidance from an experienced professional in relation to a presentation or poster
  • Development of a long-term professional network within the field, often with influential and senior colleagues, to improve career trajectory.

For Mentors

  • Exposure to the emerging talent pool and a more diverse range of thought, style, personality, and culture
  • Satisfaction from imparting wisdom and experience to others in the profession without a huge time commitment – a way to "give back" to the field
  • Ongoing attention to mentor's own career development, and enhancement of coaching, mentoring, leadership, and management skills

For the Field

  • Creation of more inclusive and accessible professional networks
  • Increased opportunities for the development of a strong professional network

 

Past

2019

2018

Attachments

INCCA Mentoring Programme in NiC Magazine