Co-Led by Jesse Leroy Smith and Kate Jones, accompanied by an array of art professionals, AGORA is held over four dynamic weekend sessions - culminating with a major group exhibition.
In addition to receiving dedicated artist mentoring, each participating artist completes the programme with the solid foundations for launching a new project independently.
Held in Newlyn, Brighton and Bristol, a maximum of 26 participating artists will benefit from the following initiatives:
Gatherings
Four dynamic sessions each held over 3 days.
Vibrant public events hosted by the AGORA team and participating artists, featuring guest artists and speakers.
Each venue will draw upon the thriving art communities in Newlyn, Brighton, Bristol and assist participating artists in building artist networks across the UK.
100 Mentors
A collection of filmed interviews with proactive artists, curators, galleries and writers with exclusive features on exhibitions, curated projects and Q&A’s.
Interviewees include art professionals such as Jennifer Higgie, Sacha Craddock, Marcus Coates, Keiken, David Noonan, DACS, ACME studios, and galleries such as the Towner, Fabrica, Anima Mundi, James Freeman, and Soup.
Think Tank
An independent project for each participant, with a specific venue, audience, and budget in mind. We will put the groundwork in place, so that it is on the horizon after completing AGORA.
Tutorials
Participating artists will benefit from one-to-one tutorials with a new Artist Mentor each session.
Group Crits
Participating artists will gather radical perceptions on their work, revealing how external audiences may interpret it.
Exhibition Planning
Participating artists will create an exhibition proposal for their end of year show. Lead Tutors will assist in developing the proposal and discuss how their work can best be realised in the final exhibition.
The Exhibition
The Mentoring year culminates with a group show in an impressive public gallery (co-curated by Lead Tutors, a guest curator and technicians). Participating artists will engage in all aspects of publicity, artist writing, funding, revenue and audience development.
Alumni
Newlyn School of Art Alumni have gone on to win respected national art prizes, undertaken prestigious residencies, joined galleries around the country, and collaborated for exhibitions and public projects.
Our Mentors
Our mentors exhibit nationally, internationally and undertake residencies, they're also often responsible for initiating projects that explore new forms of curating, collaboration, education and professional support. They are proactive in stimulating a wider approach to the Arts and are ideally placed to share their knowledge and help emerging artists foster their own paths.
Simply fill in our Application Form and we’ll be in touch to arrange an informal interview with a lead tutor.
If you have any questions, please get in touch via our contact form: Contact Us
Programme price: £3,450.
Successful applicants are required to pay a deposit to secure their place.
The tuition fee can be paid in 3 equal instalments. The fee must be made in full at least one month before the programme begins.
Busaries
Newlyn School of Art provide bursaries that enable both young artists and artists of low income to attend our Mentoring Programme, click here to apply.
Dates for our 2026/27 Programme to be announced soon!
To see previous Mentoring end-of-year show catalogues and other materials, please see the below links:
EPOCH 2023/2024
PULSE 2022/2023
RHIZOME 2021/2022
PANDEMONIUM 2020/2021
XVI 2019
AQUARIUM 2018
RAW RICH 2017
CANOPY 2016
COLLIDER 2015
SHOWROOM 2014
Click here to view all Year Long Courses
