Applications to get a mentor in 2026 are now open.
To get a mentor, complete our application form at the bottom of this page.
Deadline: Monday 29 September 2025
Let Elisha and some of our former mentees tell you about having a mentor, or scroll down to read about it instead.
What does being a mentee look like?
As a mentee with Arts Emergency, you will get a year of 1:1 support from a trained, volunteer mentor who works in the creative or cultural industries.
We will match you with a mentor based on your interests and the career you may be hoping to go into in the future. Our mentors provide information, advice and guidance, supporting your next steps after school or college.
You will also be able to expand your support network through the young community and meeting other creatives.
You can find out more information on mentoring on our FAQ page.
Who can apply?
The mentoring programme is available to young people, aged 16-18 years old, living in Greater Manchester, London or Merseyside who are preparing to take their first steps out of compulsory education (e.g. college or sixth form) and thinking about a future in the creative or cultural industries.
As part of our young community, young people can access networking and development opportunities until their 26th birthday.
We try to work with young people who most need the support of an Arts Emergency mentor, and therefore mentees should meet at least one of the criteria below:
- Your parents or carers didn’t attend university in the UK or abroad
- The main household earner when you were 14 had a ‘working class’ occupation (i.e. a technical or craft occupation; a routine, manual, or service occupation; or was long-term unemployed)
- You have been eligible for free school meals
- You are receiving the government's 16-19 bursary
- You consider yourself as being from an ethnic minority background
- You consider yourself to be disabled
- You consider yourself to have a learning disability or special education need
If you are not sure about your eligibility for the mentoring programme and would like to talk to a member of the team please get in touch.