ONEAL Mentorship Program! Apply now!

Leave a comment

April 16, 2013 by oacjosh

The Oklahoma Arts Council’s ONEAL Mentorship Program connects Oklahoma’s new and emerging arts leaders (ONEAL) with seasoned arts leaders who provide regular guidance on leadership and career issues. The goal of the program is to further equip and enhance the skills of future arts leadership in communities throughout Oklahoma.

Who Should Apply?

The program is intended for ONEAL members who are interested in deepening their knowledge and understanding of arts administration and/or board leadership. Seasoned arts leaders are encouraged to apply as mentors. Opportunities depend on availability and mutual interests of mentors/mentees.

How it Works

1. Complete the online application.
   • Apply for a mentor
   • Apply to be a mentor
2. Oklahoma Arts Council staff will contact you and let you know if a mentor is available
3. If a mentorship match is made, Oklahoma Arts Council staff will facilitate your first correspondence.
4. A 3-month report form will be made available for both parties to complete at the end of three months.
5. A final report form will be made available for both parties to complete at the end of six months.

Program Requirements

• 6 month commitment. We ask both parties to commit to the mentorship for six months.
• Monthly correspondence. ONEAL mentees are required to correspond with their mentors at least once per month during the six month commitment. Correspondence can occur via phone, email, or in-person as established by both parties prior to the start of the mentorship.
• 3-month report. A quarterly report will be made available to both parties. The report should be submitted at the end of the first three months.
• Final evaluation. A simple final evaluation will be made available for both parties to complete at the end of the six month mentorship period.

FAQ’s

Q. What are the requirements to apply as a mentor?
A. To apply to serve as a mentor or mentee, the applicant must be an Oklahoma based arts administrator.

Q. What is the expected time commitment involved to serve in the program?
A. Mentors and mentees should commit a 3-5 hours per month to the program through phone conversations, email exchanges or in-person meet-ups.

Q. What are the reporting requirements to the ONEAL Advisory Board throughout the year?
A. The Oklahoma Arts Council will make a report form available for both parties to complete after three months. A final report form will be made available for both parties to complete after six months.

Q. Is there a stipend involved for travel to meet person-to-person with my mentor/mentee?
A. At this time, there is no stipend available to participate in the program, but the ONEAL Advisory Board is actively seeking funding partners to make a small travel stipend available so that mentors and mentees may meet in person at least once during the program. More information will follow should funding be secured.

Q. What are the desired outcomes for the program?
A. The desired outcomes for the program will depend in large part on the goals and expectations of the mentor/mentee pairing. These goals will be mapped out in the early phase of the program once matches have been determined.  The overall goal of the program is to allow for an extended professional exchange between two arts leaders who will both benefit from a mentoring relationship.

Questions?
For more information contact Joshua Lunsford, community arts director at (405) 521-2025 orjoshua.lunsford@arts.ok.gov.