15 Nov SDUK’S MENTORING SCHEME
We’re really happy to announce something that we know a lot of you have been waiting for:
SDUK’S 2019 MENTORING SCHEME!!
The scheme has been generously supported by the Directors Charitable Foundation, the Noel Coward Foundation and the Garrick Charitable Trust.
Who is it for?
The SDUK mentoring scheme is open to directors at every level, from across the UK, and who are members of Stage Directors UK, however it is not a scheme to fund assistant director placements.
We are particularly interested in applications from mid-career and established directors, where we have ascertained there is a lack of opportunity for professional development.
We actively encourage directors from minority and under-represented backgrounds to apply.
What does the scheme offer, and how do I apply?
SDUK Mentoring offers a bespoke opportunity to investigate a question. This could be anything from wanting to research practical ways of working as a new parent, to investigating new technologies, or maybe you’ve recently been appointed to an artistic director position and are looking for support from a former AD, for example.
- In order to apply for the scheme, directors will need to identify a practitioner they wish to mentor them. This may be a director, but it could also be a designer, producer, writer or any established practitioner.
- Directors should have approached the mentor before applying and should put together their proposed mentoring scheme in partnership with their mentor where possible. We are aware that it is not always easy to make contact with industry professionals, so it is also possible to apply with a suggested mentor who you have not yet contacted. We would suggest that mentors who are only a few steps ahead, are often better than very established leading practitioners as, they will have experienced the question being asked more recently and will have more up to date information.
- You will need to put together a project budget. You can apply for up to £1,000 – however we anticipate most directors applying for £300 – £500. In addition to paying for mentors’ time (see below) expenses can be spent on research trips, theatre tickets, conference passes, and expenses (including travel, accommodation and child care) for the director being mentored.
- Mentors should be paid and that should be budgeted for. The SDUK day rate for mentoring is £150. Within the budget this can be split up however works. For example, if a director is doing 3 half-day sessions, the fee would be £75 per session. If part of the mentoring is observing a director in the rehearsal room, the mentor does not need to be paid (as they are already being paid to be in the room), but the debrief after rehearsals would be paid. We would not anticipate that Skype and email conversations need to be budgeted for.
To apply, please email info@old.sduk.crucibledigital.co.uk including a covering letter that addresses the following:
- What question you would like to investigate.
- Who you want to mentor you (we recommend mentors who are only a few steps ahead of you as they will have more up to date information than more established directors might).
- Whether you have approached your potential mentor (we encourage you to approach them before applying, to build the mentoring scheme together. If you are unable to approach the mentor you’d, like we will aim to broker that relationship for you).
- A budget for the scheme. You can apply for up to £1,000 – however we anticipate most directors applying for £300 – £500. The budget should cover the mentor’s time as well as any expenses you might incur such as travel, accommodation, theatre tickets or conference tickets etc.
(We are happy to discuss alternative means of application for those that would find the above difficult).
DEADLINES:
Application deadline: 10am Wednesday 19th December
We will notify all applicants by Monday 28th January (whether successful or not).
We expect mentoring to take place over the first 6 months of 2019.
To download all of the info above, click HERE, or for an informal chat about the scheme, please call the office on 020 7112 8881.