The Mentor's Program provides IJA members with access to jugglers that can offer advice on performance, competition, marketing, business as well as various other aspects of juggling. The program is intended to match interested members with individuals who wish to share their experience as actively working, professionals in the business. The mentor's time and energy is donated and is provided as a public service to the IJA membership.
The program provides the Mentor a way to "give back" to the community by targeting jugglers who may be enthusiastic, but not know where to go to learn certain aspects of the craft. For the apprentice, the program is a valuable resource to help them to improve their understanding and enjoyment of juggling as a hobby and profession.
As an apprentice, your participation will involve:
- An initial interview with the liaison to get a "big picture" idea of how a mentor could assist you
- After the initial interview, an appropriate mentor will be contacted given your profile and given your contact. The mentor will contact you within a few weeks for the first of three discussions.
- The second and third discussions will occur a couple of weeks apart to allow time for further development of your individual needs.
- A wrap-up interview with the liaison to find out how successful the interactions were and what further could be done.
Mentors are encouraged, but not required, to remain in contact with apprentices beyond the three conversations. Mentors are not required to reveal business, financial or proprietary artistic information that they feel would be damaging to their own career. Since this is a donated service on the part of the Mentor, all participants are expected to behave and treat the Mentors with the respect and politeness they deserve.
Members who wish to participate as an apprentice in the program, or members who feel they have something to offer a fellow juggler and wish to participate as a Mentor should contact the Mentor's Program liaison at