Last Chance For Culture Leaders To Sign Up To New Mentoring Programme

Pioneers in Tees Valley’s culture sector have been urged not to miss out on a new mentoring scheme to boost their leadership expertise.

Clore Leadership has launched an exciting opportunity for six cultural leaders in the region to be matched with an experienced mentor to help develop skills and expertise, tackle professional challenges or plan out their next career move.

The offer includes a half-day online briefing on 28 September 2023 for all mentees, followed by three one-hour online or in-person sessions with a mentor, which will be self-facilitated and self-organised.

Clore Leadership is also looking for expressions of interest from potential mentors to support the programme. The deadline for applications for both mentors and mentees is Monday, 3 July 2023.

Applications are also open for a day of Facilitation Skills Training on 3 October, designed to help build confidence and hone skills in working effectively with others, with the sign-up deadline also of 3 July.

The programme forms part of a £580,000 investment into the sector from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority’s £20.5million Growth Programme for the Creative and Visitor Economies.

The organisation is also set to host two leadership experience sessions, in which culture chiefs will be sharing their stories and experiences, with poet, performer and creative producer Kirsten Luckins set to speak on 26 September. She will be followed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott, a disabled writer/director for stage and screen, on 8 December.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our vibrant culture and creative sector is going from strength to strength, helping make our area an even better place for local people and attracting all-important visitors to get them spending on our high-streets.

“This is the first place-based partnership Clore has delivered, showing how we’re doing things differently in the region once again, creating bespoke opportunities for leaders in our cultural industries. By “leader”, we don’t just mean business or organisation bosses – we’re looking for anyone pioneering in their field.

“As we go faster, further in capitalising on our creative assets thanks to our Hartlepool Development Corporation – and work in lock-step with the wider industry across Teesside and Darlington – we’ll increasingly attract new creatives here and nurture local talent to make the sector shine.”

For more information and to apply, visit www.teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/clore