2006/2007 Protégés

The Programme

The international Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative crosses borders and cultures by seeking outstanding emerging artists from around the world and pairing them with great masters in their field. For an entire year, mentors and their chosen protégés collaborate in a one-to-one artistic relationship with the aim of sharing, learning and growing.

Objectives

Rolex launched the Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative in 2002 to perpetuate the world’s artistic heritage. In keeping with its tradition of supporting individual excellence, Rolex aims, through the nurturing of exceptional artists, to make a significant contribution to the arts worldwide.

Programme Format

Rolex invites masters in dance, film, literature, music, theatre and the visual arts to provide individual guidance to gifted young artists. In six disciplines, a mentor agrees to foster and counsel a protégé. Each pair decides the most effective way of interacting.

2004/2005 Protégés

Selection of Mentors

Every two years, a new Advisory Board of distinguished artists and practitioners suggests and endorses potential mentors. Once the mentors have been approached and have agreed to take part, Rolex works with them to establish a profile of the protégé they would like to work with.

Selection of Protégés

Expert, anonymous nominating panels – one for each discipline – search internationally for potential protégés. Artists do not apply directly to the programme, rather, they are personally invited by Rolex to submit applications. The nominating panel studies all the applications and recommends three finalists. Each mentor then meets the finalists and chooses his or her protégé.

Interaction

Over the course of a year, the mentor and protégé pairs spend no less than six weeks together, though many spend considerably more time sharing knowledge and experience. The place, time and purpose of these meetings are arranged by mutual agreement. The form of the interaction is flexible, ranging from a protégé being granted access to a master at work, to mentor and protégé actually collaborating on a work. Rolex provides logistical and financial support.

2002/2003 Mentors and Protégés

Support

Each protégé receives a grant of US$25,000 during the mentoring year, in addition to money to cover travel and other major expenses. A budget of a further US$25,000 is available to each protégé after the year is for the creation of a new piece of work, a publication or a performance. Each mentor receives an honorarium of US$50,000.

The Result

When the year of mentoring is complete, Rolex maintains an ongoing interest in the protégés’ careers and continues to promote their work. The full benefits of the programme for many of the young artists may continue far into the future.

A Global Creative Community

Since the launch of the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative in 2002, 173 artists, art world leaders and other cultural luminaries have participated in the programme, including 54 advisors who have helped select mentors, and 91 nominators who have helped select protégés. Programme participants contribute from across the globe, building a community of artists spanning 39 countries that grows in depth and scope with each mentoring year.