Mentoring

Mentoring Programs

Goals

• to share of valuable information including critical thinking skills required in creative process
• provide insight into creative careers and assisting students in using critical thinking skills to assist in career planning decisions

Specifics

Creative paths needs educators to identify and present potential student candidates for this program outlining their specific needs - so we can pair students with appropriate mentors who can successfully help them reach their goals.

Paired students and mentors will be introduced at an introductory meeting in February 2010, where they will be given mentoring relationship expectations and guidelines, and tips on goal setting for maximizing the benefits of the program.

It will be up to the Participants to remain in contact with each other independently - however they will be encouraged to continue networking & engage in ongoing communication with all program participants, and also encouraged to attend relevant workshops

Participants will receive email correspondence notifications for program updates, and wil be able to access a calendar program of events on the Arts Directory of Muskoka.

The session will wrap in late May with a meeting showcasing/discussing program results with all participants. Where possible the program workshops will be aligned and synchronized with the Futures Innovation Muskoka mentorship programming.

Anticipated Outcomes

Successful mentoring relationships will be profiled and subject for discussion at CICE Symposium in fall 2010

Creative Paths Speakers

Creativity Speakers / Workshops / Seminars

Goal

• to expose students to creative career choices
• to have creative professionals briefly discuss their creative career paths (how they got to where they are)
• to have an open discussion about the common thread amongst the diverse creative professions - the creative thought process, and how it can benefit us all

Specifics

Bring creative thinkers, artists into schools to do workshops on critical creative thinking skills

Intro - Benefits of creative thinking in career planning – address by speaker TBD

Presentation of various interactive creative exhibits, performances, readings, etc TBD

How did they get to where they are? Briefly discuss their creative career path

Discussion of the common thread - critical thinking and the creative process

Special Programs

Special Programs

Creative Intelligence class-specific student initiative projects
(designed for business, leadership classes in Secondary schools)

Introduction - bring in innovative thinkers into classes to discuss importance of innovation and creativity in today’s business climate

PROPOSED PROJECT A)

• Speaker TBA leading edge sustainable companies - on the role of innovation in sustainable business
  
• Students will research, identify and study Muskoka business organizations that are using creative resources and innovation to engage in Muskoka’s creative economy
• Brainstorm best methods/practices for new business models that engage in creative thinking to advance Muskoka’s creative economy
• Selected students projects will be chosen for presentation and discussion by students at the Creative Economy Symposium in Fall 2010

PROPOSED PROJECT B)

• Speaker TBA on community-building, forming the Arts Designation for Muskoka, its significance and potential benefits to the local economy
• Speaker TBA on experience in using social media in business practices with – focus technological innovation – how social media is changing business practices
• Students could engage in creative development of Creative Paths symposium promotion – i.e. unique ways to create interest and momentum in the community, using new media to promote etc….

PROPOSED PROJECT C)

• Speaker TBA on Artists Adventures in Huntsville Community Involvement Art Project.
• Writing or Journalism students engage in development of HAS project Artists Adventures in Huntsville – students will engage with Huntsville Art Society to educate themselves about their community project and will assist in writing the weekly arts column in Huntsville Forester

Community Opportunities

Community Opportunities

• Increased support and awareness for Muskoka as Designated Arts Community and Arts Destination
  
• Increased support for creative career opportunities and education about the process of building Muskoka's creative economy.
• Creative Paths volunteer opportunities can be created to help your organization complete your community project in a creative manner.