Artist Development
Stage One
The Artist Development programmes provide guidance, support, and encouragement, helping you to overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve your goals. They enable you to work with a unique group of warm, friendly people who are all experiencing similar feelings and discuss how to progress in a positive way.
Our Mentor
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“Hi - I am Caron Penney and I have been working in the arts industry for the last thirty years. I have curated exhibitions, exhibited at some of the major places in London, have my work in prestigious collections and worked with artists and artist professionals all my creative life.”
What you need to know
Artistic Development includes
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This online mentoring programme is for artists at an early or transitional stage who wish to bring greater focus and direction to their practice.
Structured across three progressive parts, the course moves from the development of ideas and identification of core concerns, through to recognising a new vision and shaping a pathway forward. The final stage centres on aspiration - articulating intentions, planning future steps, and establishing a practical framework for continued growth.
Working within a small group of six to seven participants, and guided by mentor Caron Penney, you will engage in sustained dialogue, reflection and independent enquiry. Between sessions, you will research, test ideas and prepare material for discussion. Participants learn to write an artist statement, develop presentations and speak about their practice with clarity and confidence.
This programme requires openness and a willingness to be challenged. Ideas may evolve; some may be set aside. Through focused conversation and structured exchange, you will begin to identify what truly drives your work and how it might develop into a coherent body of practice.
The aim is to leave with clearer direction, strengthened confidence, and the foundations for exhibiting and presenting your work with intention.
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How does it work?
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Part One: Exploration, Ideas & Finding Focus (5 sessions)
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Part Two: Vision, Connection & Emerging Direction (5 sessions)
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Part Three: Aspiration, Planning & Future Steps (5 sessions)
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Communication
All sessions take place on Zoom within a private group setting, creating a confidential and supportive space for open dialogue and reflective exchange. Participants are asked to engage with respect and generosity throughout.
At our first meeting, we establish a shared agreement covering online etiquette and confidentiality, ensuring a safe and constructive environment for everyone.
A dedicated WhatsApp group supports communication between sessions, allowing for practical updates and continued connection as ideas develop.
Fees
Course Cost: £1,500​
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This includes 15 group online sessions lasting up to 4 hours each.
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One mentoring 1- 1 session lasting no longer than 1 hour.
(This is to be arranged with both parties agreement.)​
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Dates
The following are the proposed dates for our sessions in 2027:
Part One
25th January
1st, 8th,15th,22nd February
Break 1st March
Part Two
8th, 15th, 22nd March
Easter Break 29th March
5th, 12th April
Break 19th April
Part Three
26th April
3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th May
Whats our students have said
"The impact of your Artist Development program is still reverberating Caron. It helped me to get perspective on my work, gave me confidence.
You managed to create a sense of community and being-in-this-together amongst us participants. My peers on the programme are an ongoing source of inspiration, as are you! I look forward to the next instalment!"
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Kathleen King
Action Researcher, Consultant, Coach.
"I joined Caron's course to develop greater clarity of purpose in my creative practice within a peer group. I gained so much more than that! Caron's light touch and quiet commitment to guiding her mentees within a clear framework swiftly created a safe space for exchange and growth. The group size and pacing of the course supported an accelerated development as we examined our practice and the insights, perspectives and support of others remains a core benefit. We are still in touch inspiring and encouraging one another!"
Anna White
Contact
If you would like to chat about the possibility of you joining Artist Development please email Caron Penney direct.