University Women In The Arts And TOAST Announce Mentoring Competition

University Women in the Arts and the lifestyle brand TOAST have announced details of a new mentoring competition for female students studying the arts at universities across the UK.

Suzie de Rohan Willner, speaking at a University Women in the Arts event on the evening of February 2nd, announced the competition for foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate female students studying any arts subject.

Suzie de Rohan Willner, CEO of TOAST said: "I have had the opportunity to work with some outstanding individuals who I have learnt invaluable skills from. At TOAST, we are building a pool of exceptional creative talent with visionary, playful and creative skills ideal for helping others to flourish. We are passionate about nurturing talent in the hope that they might go on to inspire others and become the leaders needed for the future."

Five students will be selected to spend a day at TOAST and receive ongoing mentoring from the TOAST team. They will gain an insight into how to run a business and become a female leader.

Students have until midnight on March 15th to apply.

Jennifer Tuckett, Director of University Women in the Arts, said: "We are delighted to be launching this joint competition with TOAST. Suzie de Rohan Willner is an inspirational female CEO in the fashion industry, and one of the few female CEOs in the industry, and we hope to offer the opportunity for female students interested in achieving a similar position to receive advice and mentoring from TOAST to help them further that goal".

Female students can apply at: https://universitywomeninthearts.wufoo.com/forms/z5rfh0r18gfqq3/

University Women in the Arts is running in partnership with the Women of the Future Programme, the MA Dramatic Writing at Drama Centre London at Central Saint Martins, Writers at Work Productions, Oberon Books and in association with Tonic Theatre.

The scheme is inspired by the fact that many more women study the arts in the UK (for example 74% of students at the University of the Arts London, Europe's largest arts University, are female) but less women work in the arts, particularly in artistic and leadership roles. According to recent British Theatre Consortium figures, only 30% of professional playwrights are women and according to recent UAL figures, only 30% of professional artists in galleries in London are female.

Other University Women in the Arts mentors include Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director of the English National Ballet, Jude Kelly, founder of the WOW Festivals and Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre, Joanna Prior, Managing Director of Penguin Books, Charlotte Higgins, Chief Culture Writer at The Guardian, Kate Bryan, art historian, presenter and former Director of The Fine Art Society, Elizabeth Freestone, Artistic Director of Pentabus Theatre Company, Tanya Seghatchian, film producer, Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of The Royal Court Theatre and historian, columnist and presenter Amanda Foreman.

The joint competition between University Women in the Arts London and TOAST is supported by Careers and Employability at the University of the Arts London.

For more information and to join the mailing list to be kept informed of future events please go to: www.universitywomeninthearts.com

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