The mentor program is designed to help emerging and little-known artists receive professional and creative guidance from successful mid-career artists, allowing them the insight, confidence, and contacts necessary to overcome barriers in taking the next step in their careers. By the end of the program participants will have created a bio, a portfolio, and a body of work for an exhibition of their own. Our goal is to increase the probability of San Diego artists' success by increasing the quality and visibility of their work. Providing workshops, networking opportunities and business training will help artists market themselves more effectively.

As part of the mentor program, artists will create a body of work to deadlines for an art exhibition, help curate and hang the exhibition, and learn how to speak about their work to interested parties. The San Diego Fine Art Society will hold two group shows a year to showcase the work of the graduates of the mentor program and will offer visitors a representative example of the breadth of the art of San Diego. Our goal is to provide a vibrant and active community resource, a non-competitive exhibition space, and a venue for training artists in the business of working with a gallery.