online Mentorship program
applications for the 2026 program open January 9th!
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Applications due: February 6th
Program dates: March 1st - May 31st
The SIBs Mentorship Program matches mentees and mentors around areas of interest or identity in order to create meaningful connections. We recognize the need for additional support for underrepresented populations or those who have historically had less access to blacksmithing and metal arts. The Mentorship Program supports practicing metal artists in practical, technical, professional, or artistic development.
Mentors and mentees are matched by the selection committee. Pairs commit to working together for three months, and average an hour a week of communications. This program is done remotely; communication is by phone calls, texts, emails, video calls, etc. Mentors and mentees establish their own preferred methods of communication and schedules.
Who can apply?
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All applicants must be 18 or older. Mentees must have access to their own space/tools/equipment. This is not an introductory program for folks who have no experience with blacksmithing. Mentors must have a minimum of 3 years blacksmithing/metalworking experience to apply.
Although all are welcome to apply as mentees, the Mission Statement of SIBs prioritizes the participation of women, BIPOC folks, the AAPI community, LGBTQIA individuals, those with disabilities, and others who are historically underrepresented in the field. This is a fully virtual mentorship program.
being a mentor
Anyone over the age of 18 who is a blacksmith with a minimum of 3 years experience can apply to be a SIBs mentor. Metalwork does not have to be your full time job as long as you have knowledge that will be valuable to a mentee.
This is a virtual program, you will not be expected to host mentees in your work space.
being a mentee
The mentorship program prioritizes smiths from historically underrepresented populations as mentees. Anyone over the age of 18 who currently has access to metalworking tools and facilities can apply to be a SIBs mentee.
This is a virtual mentorship program - you must have your own tools and access to a place to work to be able to participate effectively.
How does it work?
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Our Selection Committee reviews the mentor and mentee applications and matches mentees with mentors based on skills, goals, experience, interests, and identity. If you are not matched, it is not a reflection on your abilities - we just don’t have the right mentee/mentor for you this time.
After being paired by the Selection Committee, applicants will receive an acceptance email with information about who they have been matched with and a detailed handbook with important information and advice for how to get the most out of the Mentorship Program. All parties will be asked to confirm their participation and sign a contract before officially starting the program.
Once the program starts, mentors and mentees commit to communicating for four hours per month for a three month period, a total of 12 hours minimum contact time. This communication is remote, for example phone calls, emails, video calls, texts, etc. Mentors and mentees establish their own preferred methods of communication and schedules. During this time, the focus is on the goals the mentee sets, which could include anything from forging techniques, accomplishing a specific project, setting up/improving their studio, career building, identifying and applying for opportunities, networking, or simply connecting and having accountability with another metalworker.
At the start of the program, your coordinators, Anna Koplik (mentors) and Anne Bujold (mentees) host an online Orientation Meeting. This gives everyone a chance to meet and discuss details of the program. We end with mentor and mentee breakout groups to go over specifics of each role.
During the program, mentors and mentees meet once a month with their coordinator for check-in meetings to talk about their experience and help each other get the most out of their time.
At the end, we meet for a celebratory end-of-session Show and Tell, where everyone can highlight their accomplishments and show off what they have been working on.
Timeline
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Applications due: February 6, 2026
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Selection Committee reviews applications and acceptance emails are sent out mid-February
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Program dates: March 1 - May 31
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Orientation meeting for all participants: Sunday, March 1st
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Mentors and mentees meet for monthly check-ins with their respective coordinators
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Show and Tell end-of-session meeting for all participants: end of May
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Exit survey sent out: early June