This is an Arts NSW devolved funding program,
administered by Museums & Galleries NSW
on behalf of the NSW Government
Mentorship, Fellowship and Volunteer Placement Program
2014 Mentorship Program Guidelines
Amount Available:
Closing Date:
4 Mentorships available; up to $3,000 per placement
Extended until 5pm, Thursday 17 April 2014
The Mentorship Program is an Arts NSW devolved funding program, administered by Museums and
Galleries NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.
Purpose of program
This professional development program provides museum and gallery staff with an opportunity to extend
their knowledge, enrich their skills and cultivate new networks through access to the expertise and
resources of larger or specialised cultural organisations.
The Mentorship Program is open to paid staff (full-time and part-time) from NSW public museums and
galleries. These mentorships are appropriate for emerging and mid-level museum and gallery
professionals.
M&G NSW has arranged placements in two leading state cultural organisations (details below). Applicants
can apply to one of these placements or select their own host organisation/s. M&G NSW can provide
advice if you choose your own host/s and can make contact with relevant organisations your behalf.
Mentorships available in 2014
1. Museum Mentorship: Australian Museum, Lifelong Learning Branch
The Australian Museum is the oldest museum in Australia, opening in 1827. Since that time their
collection has grown to include 18 million natural history and culturally significant specimens. The
Australian Museum continues to be at the forefront of scientific research, collection and education. Their
collections, public and learning programs, and research are linked to serve a diverse public of varied
ages, backgrounds and knowledge.
The Lifelong Learning Branch at the Australian Museum focuses on Learning and Engagement in three
key areas; Science, Indigenous and Pacific Cultures and Exhibitions and Public Spaces.
This mentorship will provide insight into the development and implementation of the Museum’s Lifelong
Learning programs. A placement can be tailored to the recipient’s needs, focusing on the digital and
video conferencing program, citizen science and community programs and/ or schools programs.
Further information: www.australianmuseum.net.au/Lifelong-Learning
2. Gallery Mentorship: National Centre for Creative Learning, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia
The Museum of Contemporary Art’s National Centre for Creative Learning is a dynamic and innovative
space for learning; presenting best practice in visual arts education underpinned by the most recent
advances in educational and digital research. It features a multimedia studio, a digital studio, two
practical creative art studios, a lecture theatre, seminar room, library, as well as space for the Bella
Program that serves children with specific needs.
This mentorship is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge around creative learning, the technology and
practice of videoconferencing, digital learning and programs for kids and families. The placement would
be particularly valuable to regional education and audience development staff looking to build contacts,
networks and skills to inform the design and delivery of their own digital learning strategies and
43-51 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
t: 612 9358 1760 | f: 612 358 1852 | e: info@mgnsw.org.au
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education programs. Working within the Centre for Creative Learning, the placement can be tailored to
the individual needs of the applicant.
Further information: www.mca.com.au and
http://www.mca.com.au/mca-learning/national-centre-creative-learning/
Amount available
A maximum of $3,000 can be applied for under the Mentorship program.
Funds will assist with travel, accommodation and per-diem costs. Please discuss any other costs with
M&G NSW staff prior to application. In special circumstances funds can be used to back-fill the
recipient’s position while their placement is undertaken.
This program will not fund the applicant’s salary while undertaking the Mentorship.
Timeframe
 Applications will be accepted by mail or email. The closing date is 5pm Thursday 17 April 2014
 No late applications will be accepted.
 Unless otherwise specified, all placements must be carried out before 31 December 2014.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible you must:
 Be working in a paid position in a NSW public museum or gallery
 Be able to fulfill the placement before 31 December 2014 over two consecutive weeks
 Agree to abide by the Terms & Conditions of the grant program
 Not have previously received an M&G NSW Mentorship or Fellowship.
 Not have applied for, or received, Arts NSW funding for the same activity
Selection criteria
Your application must demonstrate:
 The relevancy of your mentorship aims to your skills and current employment
 That you are able to apply new knowledge to your present workplace
 You have sound knowledge of the NSW museum/gallery sector
 A compatibility with the host organisation
Priority areas
Preference will be given to applicants who:
 Have limited access to professional development opportunities due to geographic isolation or
financial hardship
 Clearly demonstrate that they will apply what they have learnt during the mentorship to their current
workplace.
The program will not
 Fund applicants based in major state or national cultural organisations
 Fund applicants based outside NSW
 Retrospectively fund professional development placements
 Fund applicants who have received other Arts NSW funding for the same activity.
Application process
As an applicant you must:
 Submit your application on the relevant application form
 Attach an up-to-date copy of your CV (3 pages max)
 Provide a letter of support from your employer or management body
 Provide evidence of endorsement by the host organisation if placement has not been facilitated
through M&G NSW
43-51 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
t: 612 9358 1760 | f: 612 358 1852 | e: info@mgnsw.org.au
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
Contact M&G NSW to discuss your proposal before you submit your application (please contact Kate
Major Professional Development Coordinator, M&G NSW p. 02 9339 9914 or 1800 114 311
(regional NSW only) e. pdc@mgnsw.org.au
After the closing date M&G NSW will send you an email/ letter acknowledging your application. It is your
responsibility to contact M&G NSW if you do not receive this acknowledgement.
Applications can be emailed or posted:
Email: Professional Development Coordinator: pdc@mgnsw.org.au
Subject: Mentorship Program application
Emailed applications must not exceed 5MB.
Post: Mentorship Program, Museums & Galleries NSW
43-51 Cowper Wharf Rd
WOOLLOOMOOLOO NSW 2011
Assessment process
 Eligible applications will be assessed by an assessment panel consisting of professionals from the
NSW museum and gallery sectors. Host venues will also be consulted during the assessment process.
 The decisions of the assessment panel are final. A new panel is convened each round of this
program.
 M&G NSW will notify applicants of the assessment outcome by mail within 10 weeks of the closing
date. Funds will not be available until the grant acceptance documentation is completed.
Terms & conditions
Applicants must abide by the following terms and conditions of the Mentorship program:

All grant funding must be expended as per the approved budget.

Any unused grant money will be returned to M&G NSW.

M&G NSW and Arts NSW must be publicly acknowledged as supporting the project by using the
appropriate logos and text acknowledgement on all printed and/or electronic material produced in
relation to the funded activity. This includes publications, invitations, banners, websites and any
printed or electronic material. Any products developed as a result of the funded activity must also
carry the M&G NSW and Arts NSW logos and acknowledgments.
The following written acknowledgement must accompany the Arts NSW logo:
This project is supported by Arts NSW’s Mentorships, Fellowships and Volunteer Placement Program;
a devolved funding program administered by Museums and Galleries NSW on behalf of the NSW
Government.
The logos and written acknowledgement should be placed in a position appropriate to the level of
support. Logos and style-guides are available from the M&G NSW Information and Resources Officer
on 02 9339 9902 or email comms@mgnsw.org.au

Successful applicants are required to submit an acquittal report within two months of the project’s
completion. The acquittal includes:
o
o
o

A financial report
A written report (max 6 pages) that will include an overview of the mentorship and the
benefits of the placement to the individual and their museum/gallery.
Photographs, media clippings and brochures can also be included with the acquittal where
available (photographs should represent your mentorship activities rather than be images of
the host organisation or exhibition installation shots).
M&G NSW may use all or part of your acquittal report in marketing material and promotion of the
Mentorship and Fellowship Program.
43-51 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011
t: 612 9358 1760 | f: 612 358 1852 | e: info@mgnsw.org.au
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