1. What is KIMI?
KIMI (Knowledge Incubator & Mentorship Initiative) is a mentorship and learning program by ReDefine Arts. It connects artists, arts workers, and community organizations with experienced artist-mentors to foster creative, professional, and community-based growth.
2. Who can apply to be a mentee?
- Artists and arts workers working in any medium, and with experience or interest in community-engagement or socially rooted creative practice who would benefit from mentorship in order to deepen their practice, and expand their toolkits.
- Community organizations that use the arts to engage, uplift and/or connect their communities and who would benefit from mentorship in order to expand their toolkits in using the arts in their work.
- KIMI prioritizes artists, arts workers, and organizations from equity-seeking communities including those who are Deaf, disabled, trans/queer, racialized, and/or from rural communities.
3. When is the mentee application deadline?
Applications close on January 14, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by February 13, 2026.
4. Who are the mentors?
ReDefine Arts has assembled a diverse roster of professional artist-mentors across a wide range of artistic disciplines. Many mentors also identify as members of equity-seeking communities, including those who are Deaf, disabled, trans/queer, racialized, and/or from rural areas.
5. What kinds of mentorships are offered?
Each mentorship will be unique because successful mentees will work with their mentor to design a customized 14-hour mentorship program to best support the goals of the mentorship.
Mentorships will unfold in many different ways. For example they could stretch over many weeks with regular one-hour sessions, or may be more intensive happening over a few days.
Mentorships could focus on many different topics or goals including (but not limited to):
- Creative or professional development
- Community-engaged project design
- Collaboration and partnership building
- Accessibility and inclusion practices
- Sustaining an arts career
Mentorships may take place online and/or in person in Toronto or Ottawa Valley (Renfrew County). Visit the Mentor Roster to find mentorship format availability for each mentor.
6. How are mentors and mentees matched?
KIMI program directors review mentee applications and work collaboratively with mentors to create strong, goal-aligned matches. Each potential pair will have the opportunity to meet and confirm fit before the mentorship begins.
7. How much time is involved in each mentorship?
Each mentorship includes 14 hours of one-on-one mentorship between February and May 2026.
8. When do the mentorships take place?
KIMI mentorships are happening between February and May 2026.
9. Do mentees need to pay to receive the mentorship?
No. The KIMI mentorship is free of charge for all selected mentees thanks to project funding from the Canada Council for the Arts and operating funding from the Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council.
10. Are mentors paid for offering mentorship?
Yes. All participating mentors receive fair compensation for their time, expertise, and guidance.
11. Will mentees be paid?
No. Mentees are not paid; however, this mentorship is provided free of charge and offers significant professional value. Each mentee benefits from a personalized program designed to advance their artistic goals and career development — an opportunity with an estimated market value of $2,000–$3,000.
12. What supports are available for access needs?
ReDefine Arts is committed to access and inclusion. We provide supports such as:
- Mileage reimbursements for approved travel connected to a mentorship
- ASL interpretation
- Creative enablers and other individualized supports
Please indicate any access needs in your application form.
13. How do I apply?
Seeking mentorship? Submit a mentee application form to identify your mentorship goals and look through the Mentor Roster to identify up to 3 mentors you’d like to receive mentorship from. The Mentee Application Form is open and accepting submissions until January 14, 2026.
Interested in offering mentorship? We’re no longer seeking mentors for 2026, but if you’re interested in a future opportunity as a KIMI mentor, please reach out to info@redefinearts.ca to express your interest.
NEED MORE INFO?
If you have further questions or require clarification, feel free to join our KIMI Drop-in Q&A Sessions on December 17, 2025 and January 7, 2026 from 2–2:45 PM EST. You can also email us at info@redefinearts.ca.
Sign up for the Drop-in Q&A Sessions. ASL interpretation will be provided. The session will be recorded and shared with potential applicants afterward.