THINK BIG is a new mentoring and project based program for students that have completed or are near to completing one of the courses on offer at CYI.

What is THINK BIG?

THINK BIG is designed to give students the opportunity to work on specific projects, under the guidance of an appropriate mentor. Students will set goals, work as part of a team, make community contacts and receive recognition of their achievements. Mentors will be from the artistic, social or business communities or be one of the existing CYI staff, and will work with students to conceive ideas and complete projects.

What kind of projects can students choose?

the scope of projects is as varied at the imagination of those involved! Examples of projects include:

• The sourcing and completion of commissioned artworks;
• An application for individual arts funding;
• The participation in or staging of a community event;
• Computer skills project;
• Putting together a CV and applying for a job; or
• Organising and playing a music gig.

What is Mentoring?

"A learning and creative relationship."

"Sometimes mentoring is about straight knowledge transfer, but mostly it is about seeing opportunities for that particular person and making them aware of those opportunities."

"Encouragement. Being timely with advice. Listening and then offering guidance."

"It isn't a teacher student relationship. It is a supportive creative friendship - a collaboration."