Arts Mentoring
Creatives-On-The-Out (COTO) Programme
An arts-based mentoring programme for people post-release.
Creatives-On-The-Out (COTO) is Prodigal Arts' mentoring programme for people who have lived experience of the criminal justice system and are looking to develop their creative skills and access to the arts. Many of these people have been making work with us in prison and are now on the outside, however we also extend this work to those we haven’t directly worked with. We match each mentee with an experienced artist-mentor for a sustained period of free, one-to-one creative support.
Whether someone wants to keep painting, develop their writing, build a portfolio, or simply have a consistent creative presence in their life as they find their footing, the COTO is there to help make that happen.
Apply for Mentoring
If you've been creating work with Prodigal Arts, or are actively developing your artistic practice post-release, you may be eligible for COTO mentoring.
Your mentor will be a practising artist, matched to your creative interests and goals. Together you'll meet regularly by phone or in person to talk about your work, explore opportunities, and develop your practice at a pace that suits you.
There's no fixed template. The mentorship is shaped around what you need.
Become a COTO Mentor
We're looking for practising artists to volunteer as mentors on the COTO programme.
You'll be matched with one mentee - someone recently released from prison with a genuine creative practice - and supported by Prodigal Arts with training and further opportunities throughout.
It's a small but meaningful commitment of roughly two to three hours a month, for up to twelve months.
