Designed to empower + propel artists of marginalized identities working toward a career in commercial visual arts.
The Mentorship
The We Create mentorship program is a free, one-on-one experience, tailor-made in collaboration with the mentee to provide the knowledge and support necessary to advance their career. Its aim is to address disparities within the creative industry and uplift voices often drown out by the majority by forming meaningful relationships and engaged learning with established creative professionals.
Mentoring will be conducted via regular correspondence and virtual meetings, the latter to be held every two weeks via video or voice call. Each month will be dedicated to discussing topics and emerging artist strategies assigned by the syllabus which include:
- Pricing
- Contracts
- Portfolio prep
- Vending
- Networking
- Strategy
- Galleries
- Agencies
- And more…
The We Create syllabus and program will adapt throughout the year to suit the mentee’s needs. As such, the mentee’s participation and honest feedback are essential.
THE MENTORS
Being a mentor isn’t about being perfect or the most complete version of yourself. We are still works in progress, just like you. The only difference between us is time. Time which has granted us the knowledge and experience we’ll use to create collaborative strategies that foster your goals. No one can succeed alone, and we look forward to learning and growing together over the course of the year.
Doaly
he/him
Doaly is a UK based graphic designer and digital illustrator with a passion for story telling. His work is characterised by his bold conceptual approach to illustration and his ability to adapt his style to the most sympathetic to the subject matter.
Over the years he has created artwork for a wide range of clients including the BBC, Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Lucasfilm, Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, Wired and Sony Playstation, Image Comics.
He is also active no the pop culture gallery scene and has created official artwork for properties including Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Superman, The Flash, South Park, Rick and Morty and Star Wars.
In recent years he has migrated his skills to comic book covers and has worked for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Image Comics and independents.
He is serving his second consecutive year as a We Create mentor.
Tracie Ching
she/her
Ching made her home in pop-culture creating alternative movie posters for cult classics and showing in galleries such as Spoke Art in San Francisco. She has since grown her portfolio to include commercial art for Hasbro and Penguin Randomhouse, covers for TIME and Newsweek and key art for Disney, Netflix, and Marvel Studios.
Ching is also known for her political work such as the official inaugural poster for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, viral KavaNope poster and voting initiatives like Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote.
She is often engaged on social justice and welfare campaigns like PSAs for Smokey the Bear, the Equal Rights Amendment campaign and National Geographic’s Campaign for Nature.
Ching’s work has been shown in the Getty Museum and Design Museum in London and in the permanent collection of The Library of Congress and Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. She is founder and principal mentor of the biennial We Create Mentorship & Grant program.,
Erica Williams
they/them
Erica Williams is an illustrator and cute things addict in Minneapolis, MN. They are known for intricate mark-making and illustrations of flora and fauna with macabre tones, as well as custom typography and screen printed posters. Much of their work focuses on the forgotten, endangered, the occult and lore.
Erica attended Kansas City Art Institute before moving to Minneapolis, and became a freelance illustrator in 2012. Since then they has created posters, album art, t-shirts, identity, print advertisements, book covers, skateboards, and various merchandise for a variety of clients and industries.
They are serving their third consecutive year as a We Create mentor.
PAST GUEST MENTORS
In addition to the We Create mentors, the program features Guest Mentors – creatives from varying professional backgrounds who will share their unique perspective and insight via virtual mentorship meetings. Here are just a few of the incredible humans joining us last cohort!
Aaron Huey
Photographer. Explorer. Activist.
Dasha Matsuura
Gallery Director
Steve McNiven
Comic Book Illustrator
Andy Park
Director of Visual Development, Marvel
Yuko Shimizu
Illustrator
Matt Taylor
Illustrator
THE MENTEES
We Create will accept three (3) mentees for the 2025 program – one per mentor.
Applicants should demonstrate vision and drive in pursuit of their goal(s). We want to collaborate with someone who will use this program as a springboard toward a life as a professional creative. We aren’t looking for a streak of wins but proof of drive. Whether you are 18 or 88 – there is no maximum age. Artistic background, preferred subject matter, style or process – there are no restrictions. As long as the applicant’s work could benefit from We Create mentorship, they are welcome.
Requirements
To apply for the We Create mentorship you must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be an emerging artist
- Actively pursuing a full-time visual arts career
- Identify within one or more marginalized communities
- Utilize digital applications in some part of creative process
- Have access to a computer and internet*
- Speak fluent English
Not sure you meet the requirements? Apply anyway.
Materials
The application process requires you provide examples of your work via website or online portfolio.
Application questions also include:
- What you hope to gain from the program
- Your work and creative process
- Your goals – both short-term and long-term
*We Creates exists to act as a resource for marginalized identities within creative industries. A such, we hope to provide assets and ask only for your time in return.
While access to a computer and internet are a requirement for participation, we realize not all have ready access to these resources. All efforts will be made to accommodate and assist applicants/mentees wherever possible.
THE FAQ
Applicants will have the option to select, in order of preference, however many mentors they would like to be paired. Where matches occur, the applicant shall become a semi-finalist and a final interview will be requested. More than one mentor may select and interview with any matched mentee. One finalist will be selected by each mentor upon completion of all interviews.
No. This program is not an apprenticeship. The focus is on learning about working in the visual arts, not how to draw.
No. All communication and meetings are handled digitally. International applicants are welcome, as long as they meet the mentee requirements.
Technically, no. We Create is a one-on-one mentorship program. That being said, cross-pollination will occur in the form of group meetings discussing certain curriculum topics as well as Guest Mentor meet-ups. Mentees are encouraged to engage with one another and all mentors and mentees will also be part of a group chat (via WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, etc.).
Application review begins on Dec. 1st. Semi-finalists will be chosen by each mentor and notified by Dec. 12th. Final interviews will be held Dec. 14th-21st. All applicants will be notified of the outcome by Dec. 28th.
No. Proof of vision, motivation, and worthiness cannot and should not be measured in diplomas or job titles. The art and what you’ve done with it will speak for itself.
Two ways – 1.) Free portfolio websites. There are many sites like Behance that allow you to upload your portfolio for free. 2.) Social media platforms dedicated to your artwork such as Instagram, ArtStation, Tumblr, etc. are acceptable in lieu of a website or portfolio sites.
Absolutely not. The subject of your current work, as well the potential final project, is entirely up to you and should speak to the work you want to create professionally.
You can read the Terms of Participation here.
Key Dates
Sept. 3-Nov. 30: Applications open
Dec. 1-9: Application review
Dec. 11: Semi-finalists notified
Dec. 12-20: Semi-finalist interviews
Dec. 30: Mentees announced
Jan. 6: Mentorships Begin!
Schedule may be subject to change pending global issues
Questions?
Don’t see the answer to your question? Contact us!
For media or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Tracie Ching.
Read the Terms of Participation here.