A belief that careers in the creative industries should be open to everyone is central to the ethos of both the Creative Mentor Network and Carrot Productions. Becoming mentors in the Creative Mentor Network will mean Carrot Productions can play their part in this mission.
“Carrot Productions is part of this journey...you are playing a key role as we work to break the class ceiling in the UK creative industries.” Katie Thomson-Greene | CEO | Creative Mentor Network
What is the Creative Mentor Network?
The Creative Mentor Network (CMN) support 16-25 year olds from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to help them develop their creative careers through mentoring, education, and opportunities.
They champion socioeconomic diversity, equity and inclusion in the UK creative industries. Since 2014, they’ve been working to shape inclusive leaders, elevate emerging talent, and foster systemic change in the UK creative industries so that they reflect the diversity of our society.
Break the Wall – Manchester
Break the Wall is the CMN's longest-running programme, operating for over 10 years. This signature 16-week mentoring and training programme runs four times a year, matching mentees and mentors together to help support access and inclusion in the creative industry.
How does it work?
Mentors are matched with a mentee from the CMN's community of brilliant young creatives, and support them in fortnightly mentoring sessions over a 16-week period.
To ensure they are equipped to fully help their mentee, all mentors receive 8 hours of training to develop their skills in managing and leadership, with specific training on socioeconomic diversity, and the barriers faced by the young people the CMN work with. Coming from lower socioeconomic backgrounds means they’ve had less access to the financial support, contacts and cultural know-how many others have to get ahead and make it in the creative industry.
Mentees are interested in careers in every corner of the industry but don’t always know the different career pathways and roles that exist, which makes it more challenging to make it. Some are still in school, and others may already be working. Mentors can help guide them on the next step of their journey by using their knowledge and networks, together with the tools acquired through the CMN training sessions.
Carrot Productions and the Creative Mentor Network
Carrot have decided to partner with the CMN to help mentees overcome the significant barriers to joining the classical music industry – an industry which is predominantly populated by those from the middle to upper classes. Our founder and Managing Director, Rachel Whibley, is fully aware that she wouldn't be in her current position if she hadn't had access to free instrumental lessons at school and a bursary to attend music college. Sadly, in these economic times, such opportunities and routes into the industry are no longer available to young people.
Interested in joining the Creative Mentor Network?
Networks are incredibly powerful resources. Are you are interested in joining the CMN – either as a mentor or mentee?
Become a Mentor
The Creative Mentor Network facilitate change in creative organisations, training staff in creative companies to be inclusive mentors and leaders. They then match mentors with a young person from our community to help them on the next steps of their creative journey.
Get a Mentor
Those aged 16-25 from lower socioeconomic backgrounds across the UK wishing to kickstart a creative career can be partnered with a dedicated mentor to support them at any stage of their career – whether looking for a first job, or trying to get a promotion.
The Creative Mentor Network would like to hear from anyone interested in helping break the class ceiling.
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