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The first international mentorship program in the Arts

The 30 UNDER 30 mentoring program, created by Communicating the Arts, supports the growth of emerging leaders in the cultural sector.

This program connects cultural professionals under 30 with experienced industry leaders. Its aim is to foster collaboration and inclusive growth, giving mentees the tools, guidance and exposure they need to succeed in a fast-changing sector. Over the years, the program has helped young professionals build their careers, while mentors share their expertise, gain fresh perspectives and strengthen their coaching skills.

Each year, 30 talented professionals are paired with 30 globally recognised mentors from the Communicating the Arts network. The program offers a unique development opportunity, combining one-on-one mentoring sessions with an experienced leader outside the participant’s organisation, along with group workshops to share ideas and learn as a cohort.

"Supporting young professionals is at the core of our mission and a daily responsibility. Our program welcomes participants from all continents and fosters diversity by crossing nationalities, generations and expertise." • Corinne Estrada, founder of Communicating the Arts •

"Supporting young professionals is at the core of our mission and a daily responsibility. Our program welcomes participants from all continents and fosters diversity by crossing nationalities, generations and expertise." • Corinne Estrada, founder of Communicating the Arts •

Meet the 30 Mentors

  • Alice Baronnet

    Alice Baronnet

    Public Relations Manager
    International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
    Switzerland

  • Pascal Hufschmid

    Pascal Hufschmid

    Executive Director
    International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
    Switzerland

  • Michèle Meier

    Leadership Coach and Corporate Director
    Michèle Meier Consulting and Coaching
    Canada

  • Guillemette Naessens

    Guillemette Naessens

    Director of Communications and Marketing
    Musée de Beaux Arts de Lyon
    France

  • Peter Aerts

    Peter Aerts

    Head of Marketing, Communication & Audiences
    S.M.A.K. / Museum of Contemporary Art
    Belgium

  • Anna Thornton

    Anna Thornton

    Senior Director, Executive Office and Corporate Affairs
    National Arts Centre
    Canada

  • Jonathan Holloway

    Jonathan Holloway

    Independent Artistic Director, Cultural Adviser, Speaker and Strategist
    Spain

  • Kylie Millwood

    Kylie Millwood

    Director, Corporate Affairs
    AGB Creative
    Australia

  • Jerome de Baecque

    Jerome De Baecque

    APAC Director
    Moment Factory
    Australia

  • Krisztina Mezős

    Krisztina Mezős

    Head of Marketing and Communication Department
    House of Music Hungary
    Hungary

  • Gretchen Coss

    Gretchen Coss

    Senior Vice President
    G&A
    USA

  • Philippe Rivière

    Philippe Rivière

    Head of Digital
    Art Explora Foundation
    France

  • Sophie Rochefort

    Sophie Rochefort

    Academic and Art Historian
    Sciences Po
    France

  • Fiona Allan

    Fiona Allan

    Strategy & Leadership Consultant
    Sutcliffe & Co
    Australia

  • Tracy Jones

    Tracy Jones

    Head of Communications
    The National Gallery
    UK

  • Peggy Derder

    Peggy Derder

    Director of Cultural Mediation
    Centre Pompidou
    France

  • John Giurini

    John Giurini

    Assistant Director, Communications & Public Affairs
    J. Paul Getty Museum
    USA

  • Marina Bradbury

    Marina Bradbury

    Senior Communications Professional and Artist
    France

  • Eric Longo

    Eric Longo

    Interim Executive Director
    The Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center
    USA

  • Dora Juhasz

    Dóra Juhász

    Director of Brand and Communications
    Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME)
    Hungary

  • Chester Tan

    Chester Tan

    Founder
    Heritage Business Foundation
    Singapore

  • Francine LaPointe

    Francine LaPointe

    Manager, Public Programs, Partnerships and Special Events
    Canadian Museum of History
    Canada

  • Louise Teteris

    Louise Teteris

    Touring Exhibitions Coordinator | Exhibitions
    Australian Museum
    Australia

  • Susan Eldridge

    Susan Eldridge

    Founder & Consultant
    Notable Values
    USA

  • Martijn van Schaik

    Martijn van Schaik

    Digital Strategy, Director
    Broken Egg
    Netherlands

  • Dr Roslynn Ang

    Dr Roslynn Ang

    Academic, Qualitative Research, Cultural Anthropologist
    LASALLE College of the Arts, University of the Arts
    Singapore

  • Sarabeth Janzen

    Sarabeth Janzen

    Executive Coach
    Vesper Fundraising
    USA

  • Cat Burton

    Cat Burton

    Creative Director, Creative Producer
    Create Art Together, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
    USA

  • Melissa Santee

    Melissa Santee

    Chief Philanthropy Officer
    Cleveland Museum of Natural History
    USA

  • Yasmine Vatere

    Yasmine Vatere

    Assistant Director Brand Management & Marketing
    The J. Paul Getty Trust
    USA

Meet the 30 Mentees

  • Abdiwahab Ahmed Ali

    Abdiwahab Ahmed Ali

    Founding Director
    Hayaan Heritage
    Somalia

  • Anoushka Chakrapani

    Anoushka Chakrapani

    Press Officer
    National Theatre
    UK

  • Claude Leroy Pinto

    Claude Leroy Pinto

    Student and President of BDA
    Arts Association, Sciences Po
    France

  • Cait MacMullin

    Cait MacMullin

    Communications & Outreach Specialist
    Historica Canada
    Canada

  • Archana Murali

    Archana Murali

    Senior Associate
    ArtSpire
    India

  • Catriona Reid

    Catriona Reid

    Marketing and Communications Manager
    Toronto Biennial of Art
    Canada

  • Claire Grenier

    Claire Grenier

    Public Programs and Community Engagement Assistant
    Museum of Anthropology
    Canada

  • Colette Richardson

    Colette Richardson

    Senior Fundraising and Audience Development Officer
    The Musical Stage Company
    Canada

  • Crystal Ho

    Crystal Ho

    Communications Officer, Events
    Creative Australia
    Australia

  • Francesca Weir

    Francesca Weir

    Public Affairs Graduate Trainee
    J. Paul Getty Museum
    USA

  • Dyumna Chhabra

    Dyumna Chhabra

    Arts Coordinator
    The Lewis Foundation of Classical Ballet
    India

  • Emily Henderson

    Emily Henderson

    Digital Marketing Manager
    Kimbell Art Museum
    USA

  • Nahom Assefa

    Nahom Assefa

    Founder
    Cultured Creative Studio
    Canada

  • Emma Broun

    Emma Broun

    Marketing Coordinator
    Richard H. Driehaus Museum
    USA

  • Erica Ercole

    Erica Ercole

    Co-founder / Founding Member
    “Live for All” Association
    Italy

  • Estelle Lligona

    Estelle Lligona

    Digital Communications Officer
    International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
    Switzerland

  • Grace Halton

    Grace Halton

    Producing and Programming Executive
    Live Nation Ireland
    Ireland

  • Joe Eccleston

    Joe Eccleston

    Production Administrator at Opera Australia | Independent Theatre Producer
    Australia

  • Katarina Lupert

    Katarina Lupert

    Programme Assistant
    Centre culturel canadien / Canadian Cultural Centre
    France

  • Kira Leiva

    Kira Leiva

    Audience Engagement Executive
    Bell Shakespeare
    Australia

  • Kritika Salhotra

    Kritika Salhotra

    Communications Administrator
    The National Gallery
    UK

  • Lucía Cardó Olaran

    Lucía Cardó Olaran

    Head of Cultural Activities
    Universidad Villanueva
    Spain

  • Nicole Yip

    Nicole Yip

    Client Relationship Consultant
    Bonhams
    Singapore

  • Penelope Carreau

    Pénélope Carreau

    Public Relations Officer
    National Gallery of Canada
    Canada

  • Orphee Kashala

    Orphée Kashala

    Freelance Curator and Producer
    UK

  • Saamkyu Smart

    Saamkyu Smart

    Marketing Officer
    Shakespeare's Globe
    UK

  • Shreya Sharma

    Shreya Sharma

    Curator
    Devi Art Foundation
    India

  • Wilson Mpango

    Wilson Mpango

    Multidisciplinary Visual Artist
    NAFASI ART SPACE
    Tanzania

  • Sophia Tang

    Sophia Tang

    Head of Social and Marketing
    Voice ESEA
    UK

  • Vaidehi Phagre

    Vaidehi Phagre

    Asst Manager - Programmes
    Prestige Centre for Performing Arts
    India

Benefits

The program offers a unique professional development experience through one-on-one mentoring, individual coaching, digital masterclasses with leading experts, and access to the Communicating the Arts conference. Participants gain valuable insights, expand their networks across the cultural sector, and showcase their work on an international stage. The 30 UNDER 30 program runs from July to December 2026 and includes mentorship, masterclasses and global exposure. This program provides a strong platform for professional growth. Benefits include:

    • Monthly one-on-one virtual mentoring sessions

    • One individual coaching session with Michele Meier, ICF Certified Leadership Coach for first ten participants.

    • Four digital masterclasses with industry leaders

    • A collaborative mentee-led case study

    • Regular peer catch-ups with fellow mentees

    • Access to the alumni network (mentees since 2021)

    • Private access to the mentee WhatsApp group

    • Complimentary pass to attend Communicating the Arts, Ottawa (13–16 October 2026)

    • Invitations to local events in Sydney, Paris and New York

    • A featured profile on the Communicating the Arts website

I now feel more prepared to identify and evaluate future opportunities and take the next step in my career.” - Carmen Chavez, 30UNDER30 Alumni

I now feel more prepared to identify and evaluate future opportunities and take the next step in my career.” - Carmen Chavez, 30UNDER30 Alumni

Masterclasses

As part of the program, participants gain access to a series of masterclasses led by industry experts. These sessions explore key topics shaping the cultural sector, including leadership, innovation and emerging opportunities.

Masterclasses are delivered by leading professionals from across the global cultural sector.

  • Leadership Unlocked by Gretchen Coss, Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, G&A (USA)

  • Recognize your personal strengths by Michèle Meier, ICF Certified Leadership Coach (Canada)

  • Creative Industries by Stéphane Roisin, General Manager Europe, Moment Factory (Paris)

  • Entrepreneurship by Seb Chan, Director ACMI Australia

Applications

Who should apply

If you’re under 30 and passionate about advancing your career in the cultural sector, the 30 UNDER 30 program is for you. Join a global cohort of emerging professionals shaping the future of the arts.

Application process

  1. Submit the online application (CV and a short motivation letter) by 31 May 2026

  2. Successful applicants will be matched with mentors in May, with pairings announced at the end of the month

  3. The program runs from June to December 2026 and is limited to 30 mentees

Eligibility

Applicants must be under 30 at the time of applying, have at least three years’ experience in the cultural sector, and work in visual arts, performing arts, heritage, or the wider creative industries.

Applications for the 2026 edition have closed.

I have been involved in the 30 UNDER 30 program for 2 years and it has been a fantastic opportunity to meet incredible young professionals outside my field and a powerful experience  to develop soft skills as a mentor.  I learnt a great deal about GenZ expectations and the full journey has been very rewarding. I have felt useful to my mentees and they have been very grateful for our exchanges. I will be happy to continue in the next few years.

JEROME DE BAECQUE
MOMENT Factory
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR -
Asia Pacific

xchanging with my mentee was extremely rewarding and I definitely learnt from her as much as she did from me. I truly enjoyed the masterclasses as well as the session dedicated to mentors when we had an opportunity to discuss how to best help our mentees. I felt supported in supporting other people. - Alexia Jacques Casanova, Mentor 2025

xchanging with my mentee was extremely rewarding and I definitely learnt from her as much as she did from me. I truly enjoyed the masterclasses as well as the session dedicated to mentors when we had an opportunity to discuss how to best help our mentees. I felt supported in supporting other people. - Alexia Jacques Casanova, Mentor 2025

Mentors

Mentors and coaches provide confidential advice and support. They hold senior leadership roles in organisations across the cultural sector, including visual arts, performing arts, heritage and the wider creative industries. All mentors are carefully selected from the Communicating the Arts network.

To ensure meaningful partnerships, mentors and mentees are thoughtfully matched by a jury, bringing together different generations, nationalities and backgrounds.

Mentor benefits include training guidelines, regular mentor meet-ups, invitations to special events, a profile on the Communicating the Arts website and social channels, access to the alumni network, and a 20% discount on registration for the Communicating the Arts conference.

30 under 30
Alumni

The 30 UNDER 30 program has brought together an inspiring global community of mentees and mentors. Below is the full list of participants since 2021.

Interested in participating as a mentee?

For more information, contact:

Tanisha Gandhi
30 Under 30 Mentorship Program

Tanisha Gandhi studied Art History and holds a Master’s degree and an MBA in the Contemporary Art Market. Her experience spans India, Canada, Italy and France and she is now based in Paris. She works in culture and enjoys organisation and creative project support. Her freelance work includes research, writing, event coordination and content development for cultural platforms. She is also the founder of Artha, a platform that represents contemporary South Asian art and shares it with wider audiences in Europe.

tanisha@communicatingthearts.org

Partner with us to support mentees

Support the next generation of cultural leaders by partnering with the 30 UNDER 30 program. Your contribution helps emerging professionals access mentorship, global networks and career development opportunities.

Partnership benefits

  • Sponsor mentees from your organisation

  • Align your organisation with a global initiative in the cultural sector

  • Gain recognition across 30 UNDER 30 communications

  • Receive complimentary access to the Communicating the Arts conference and events

Become a partner