Art mentorship program

I’m excited to be launching a new art mentorship program!

Having worked with contemporary artists for my whole career, I understand how hard it can be to navigate the art world. From commercial galleries to public museums, there are many closed doors and private networks at play, which is why an insider’s advice can be crucial.

I also understand that artists want to be in the studio, as time is precious, and may need support with understanding the wider business of art.

I’m often asked: how do I get my work seen by the right people? How do I land an exhibition, write a proposal and create an artist statement? Where can I connect with collectors, critics and curators, and how do I ultimately build a successful career as a visual artist? Perhaps this sounds familiar.

I am now in a position to be able to offer advice on these topics, and many more, which is why I’d like to offer mentoring for talented creatives who are committed to taking an important next step towards success.

What does an art mentor do?

In 1:1 personalised sessions, I will work closely with you to develop a personalised strategy based on your career goals and help you to take positive action. As part of the bespoke mentoring package, I can review your portfolio, and offer advice on the following areas:

• Developing an online presence
• Presenting your work to curators
• Pitching to the press
• Writing a compelling artist statement
• Finding and applying for opportunities
• Pricing artworks & selling strategies
• Connecting with potential clients
• Approaching relevant galleries
• Telling your art story
• And more

Mentoring sessions are 1-hour in length, and can take place online or in person if you live nearby or are willing to travel to Birmingham, UK.

Who am I looking to work with?

I am seeking to work with a selective group of talented visual artists, whose practice is already well developed but need practical support and advice to move forward professionally and with purpose. I am particularly interested in hearing from artists from working-class backgrounds, and those without strong connections in the arts, who could really benefit from bespoke mentoring.

Consultation

The process starts with a 1-hour consultation, during which we both can decide if 1:1 mentoring is the right fit for you now, and how many sessions you’d need, based on your goals (as well as budget). The consultation can be online video call, or in person if you live nearby/are willing to travel to Birmingham.

Fees

An initial 1 hour consultation is £100

Mentoring is £150 per 1 hour session, and we can agree how many sessions you’d need, taking into consideration your career goals.

What relevant experience do I have?

I have 10+ years of experience of working in the art world, including at the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, Ashmolean Museum, and Sotheby’s Institute of Art. Starting my career at commercial gallery Connaught Brown in Mayfair, London, I represented leading contemporary artists, including Shani Rhys James MBE, Paul Richards, and Boaz Vaadia.

For the last few years, I have worked as an independent curator and consultant, collaborating with the likes of the National Portrait Gallery, Oxford Festival of the Arts, and London Art Fair, staging major public art exhibitions across the UK, including Birmingham’s annual Open.

As an art writer and critic, you can find my work in leading publications, including The Art Newspaper, Dazed, AnOther, Elephant, The Independent, Observer and BBC, for whom I present arts documentaries. I’ve written two art books, MUSE and This Book Will Make You An Artist, with a third on the way.

Most recently, I developed and delivered a Get Gallery Ready bootcamp for 20 artists at Solihull College & University Centre. As part of this program, I offered mentoring for creatives including painters, photographers, and textile artists. Many participants have now secured gallery representation, coverage in publications such as Stylist, and exhibited widely.

I believe it’s crucial that I still work in the art world, staying up-to-date with trends, hot topics and developments, in order to be an effective art mentor.

Apply today!

If you’re interested in being mentored by me, please email Millington.rka@gmail.com with a bit about yourself plus links to your website, social media, CV, current artist statement and portfolio. Don’t worry if these are still in draft form, that’s what my mentoring will help with!

I will review your practice and profile before scheduling an initial consultation, and aim to reply within 2 weeks of first hearing from you.

Testimonials

“Having a mentor like Ruth has been a truly rewarding learning experience. Through one-on-one discussions about my process, inspirations, and themes, she guided me in developing my artist statement to a gallery-ready level. Ruth is not only incredibly knowledgeable about the art world but also a highly skilled writer. Her insights and support have been invaluable” – Tara Harris, painter

“Ruth’s mentoring has been a turning point for me, especially as a new migrant artist in the UK. She not only helped me strengthen my practice through detailed feedback on my portfolio and honest, thoughtful comments on every idea and step I wanted to take, but also opened up a network that has become like a new creative family for me here. Her kind support, expertise and encouragement have made me feel truly seen and connected in the Midlands art scene. I’m so grateful for her guidance.” – Anisa Mosaiebiniya, painter and photographer