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99精品视频 mentoring platform looks to increase impact with inaugural fundraiser

The Arena provides community, support, advice and guidance to emerging talent in the creative industries, but it needs your help to take its work to the next level.

For most, getting into the creative industries isn鈥檛 an easy task, even if you have the right qualifications on paper. Whether it's a financial barrier, lack of representation, or just the fact that it's highly competitive, it can sometimes feel impossible to jump that first hurdle and land a decent paying job, internship or freelance contract.

In 2020, not-for-profit creative community and mentoring platform The Arena set up in a bid to change this by arming aspiring creatives with the tools, inspiration and confidence they need to kickstart a creative career. The platform hosts bi-annual virtual mentoring programmes and nationwide speed mentoring events in partnership with world-renowned creative agencies and digital content, sharing everything they wish they鈥檇 known sooner.

Freelance brand designer Dom Edwards and marketing manager/musician Lauren Archer run The Arena alongside their own creative careers. Using their years of experience in the industry and passion for levelling the playing field, they鈥檙e trying to bring about lasting and meaningful change for emerging creatives.

The idea is that people who come through their programme will eventually 鈥渓ift as they climb鈥 and pay it forward, essentially holding the door open for the next generation of talent once they鈥檝e made a name for themselves.

For the past four years, Edwards and Archer have self-funded The Arena, providing mentorship for over 400 emerging creatives across the UK at no cost to the mentees or mentors. But now, as they look to develop the platform and take the community to the next level, they have launched their inaugural .

Every donor is guaranteed to get a mystery print for just 拢10 a 鈥楧ip鈥, with A4 to A2 prints up for grabs. Over 150 prints have been generously donated by 13 members of the creative community - many of whom have been mentors or mentees through The Arena - including Gill Sans, Inma Hortas, Jess Bright, Vini Vieira, and Yusra Na'im.

Na鈥檌m describes being part of the fundraiser as 鈥渁 full-circle moment鈥, as she came through The Arena鈥檚 mentor programme. She says: 鈥淚 first discovered The Arena at a time in my career when I felt ready to chase my dreams as an illustrator, yet I was feeling pretty stuck (and intimidated!) on how exactly to do it.

鈥淕rowing up without knowing anyone in the creative industry meant everything I鈥檇 done had to come from my own passion and research, but doing it alone is tough.鈥

As well as giving her an extra boost of support and offering mentorship, community, and guidance, Na鈥檌m says that it also reassured her that she was on the right track.

鈥淣ow, I鈥檓 thrilled to give back and donate some of my prints alongside other former mentees and mentors who also want to help this wonderful community thrive and keep The Arena doing what they do best,鈥 she adds.

From limited runs to crowd favourites, these prints come directly from the creatives' archives, with no reprints allowed! The Arena took this approach to breathe new life into prints that might have otherwise gone to waste and also give art and design enthusiasts the chance to own rare, one-of-a-kind pieces. What鈥檚 not to like?

The Arena鈥檚 fundraising target is 拢1000, which will go towards growing the speed mentoring concept for emerging designers and illustrators across the UK. As we gear up for the season of giving, why not consider gifting your print to a friend or family member if it's not to your taste?

Whether it's a creative treat for yourself or for someone else, remember that the prints don鈥檛 just look good, they do good. Head to The Arena website and get your donations in by Friday 22nd November.

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