Artist Mentoring for emerging and established artists — in Dutch & English
I offer one-to-one mentoring for artists who are looking for reflection, direction and practical support in developing their artistic practice and career.
Whether you have recently graduated and are figuring out how to build a sustainable practice outside of art school, are developing a new body of work, or have been working professionally for years and find yourself at a point of transition, mentoring can offer a dedicated space to step back, reflect and think strategically about where your practice is going.
Sessions can take place in Dutch or English, online or in person in Amsterdam.
Experience
Alongside my own artistic practice, I have worked as an educator, tutor and mentor for artists and art students for many years.
I have taught at art academies including Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK), ArtEZ University of the Arts and St. Joost School of Art & Design, alongside guest teaching and educational work at other art institutions.
I have also worked one-to-one as a mentor with graduating and professional artists, including a graduating artists at the Sandberg Instituut in Amsterdam, and one at Metàfora Art Studio in Barcelona. I've work as a mentor via the Amarte Fonds mentoring programme.
As a practicing visual artist, performer, writer and cultural professional with over 15 years of experience, my mentoring draws on first-hand knowledge of building and sustaining an interdisciplinary artistic practice.
This includes developing projects and artistic research, exhibitions and performances, working internationally, funding and grant applications, residencies, collaborations, teaching, writing, communication and navigating the practical realities of working professionally as an artist.
How can I help?
Mentoring is shaped around where you are in your practice and what you need at that moment.
You might come to me because you:
- recently graduated and are trying to find your way outside of the academy;
- feel stuck or uncertain about the direction of your practice;
- want to develop a new project, body of work or artistic research;
- are moving into a new medium, discipline or phase of your career;
- want an outside perspective on your work, portfolio or artistic positioning;
- need help navigating funding, residencies, institutions and professional opportunities;
- want to think strategically about visibility, networks and how to bring your work into the world;
- are trying to find a more sustainable way of organising your artistic practice;
- or simply need an experienced outside eye to think alongside you for a while.
My approach is both artistic and practical. We can move between the work itself — its ideas, methods, questions and development — and the professional structures around it.
I don't believe there is one correct way to build an artistic career. Instead, I see mentoring as a space to look carefully at what kind of practice you are trying to create, what is getting in the way, what possibilities are already there, and what concrete next steps could help you move forward.
Getting started
If you are interested in mentoring, send me a short message introducing yourself and your practice.
It is helpful to include:
- a link to your website, portfolio or other work;
- a little about where you currently are in your practice;
- what you would like to work on or talk through;
- and whether you are interested in a single session or a longer trajectory.
You don't need to have a perfectly formulated question before getting in touch. Figuring out what needs attention can also be part of the mentoring process.
Mentoring options
Single Session — €80
One 90-minute session focused on a particular question, project, challenge or moment in your practice. This can be useful when you need an outside perspective, want to untangle a specific issue, or would simply like to meet before deciding whether a longer mentoring trajectory would be useful.
3-Session Mentoring Trajectory — €225
Three 90-minute sessions, usually spread across approximately 6–8 weeks. At the beginning of the trajectory, we identify the main questions, challenges and goals you would like to work on. The following sessions allow us to return to these questions, reflect on developments and work towards concrete next steps.
6-Session Mentoring Trajectory — €420
Six 90-minute sessions, usually spread across approximately 3–4 months. This trajectory is intended for artists who would benefit from more sustained support while developing their practice, navigating a transition, working on a substantial new project, or thinking through longer-term artistic and professional goals.
Sessions can take place online or in person in Amsterdam, in English or Dutch.
PS. I also offer Grant Writing services, feel free to check that out as well.
XOXO
Venus