The province will provide $117,000 for a fifth year of the Career in the Arts Mentorship Program, helping youth work toward careers in the arts and cultural sector. This announcement was made by Healthy Living, Youth and Seniors Minister Jim Rondeau.
“Arts and culture are an integral part of our lives, and our government is continuing its commitment to developing related career opportunities for Manitoba youth,” said Rondeau. “We are pleased to partner with the Arts and Cultural Industries Association of Manitoba (ACI) for a fifth year of this very successful program.”
The Career in the Arts Mentorship Program provides opportunities for youth between the ages of 16 and 24 to be mentored by representatives of arts-related careers through individual meetings with a mentor, volunteer work experience and participation in career-development workshops designed to increase awareness and participation in arts-related careers.
Over the past year, 14 Winnipeg youth (between 20 and 24 years of age) have been mentored one on-one by experts in specific arts-related careers. An additional nine youth (between 16 and 20) were mentored in rural and northern Manitoba, and an additional 33 Winnipeg youth (16 to 19) were mentored in a group setting, participating in either music management, writing fiction or filmmaking.
Rondeau said the mentorship program helps young Manitobans as they consider careers in the arts and gives them a head start by connecting them with established artists.
“It allows young Manitobans who are choosing professions in the arts and cultural sector to work with and learn from an expert in their field, it creates youth employment and also increases Manitoba’s overall skilled workforce.”
The Career in the Arts Mentorship Program, which is delivered by ACI, was first promoted to youth and to the arts and cultural industry in fall of 2007. Since that time, more than 265 youth have completed the program.
