Creative Mentorship Program  2026 Application Questions

The AUDION Foundation 2026 Mentorship Program is designed to connect emerging creatives with established songwriters, producers, musicians, and industry professionals through co-writes, studio experiences, and career guidance — completely free.

This is real access and collaboration with people who've built lasting careers in this industry, not surface-level advice.

The application takes about 30 minutes. Be prepared to provide:

  • 3 examples of your work (title, link, year, and your role for each)

  • 2 artist/promotional photos or a recent high-quality headshot

  • Additional materials: tour schedules, press, or other work samples (optional)

The program is designed for creatives who:

  • Are actively creating and pursuing their craft

  • Are open to learning, collaboration, growth, and community

  • Understand that meaningful careers are built over time

  • Value creative relationships and giving back to their community

This program was designed for all creatives; every genre, every background — if you're serious about your craft and committed to building a career around it, you belong here.

The most compelling applications come from creatives who are honest, specific, and thoughtful. Take your time, and let's see what you're building.

Section 1 — About You

The basics.

* Full Name

* Age

* Email Address

* Phone Number

Pronouns

* Are you 18 years of age or older?

You must be 18 years or older to be eligible.

  • Yes

  • No

* Do you currently live within 30 miles of Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee?

You must live within 30 miles of Music Row to be eligible.

  • Yes

  • No

Social Links

Share your socials

Instagram:

Facebook:

Tiktok:

Other:

Website

* What best describes you and the creative career you are pursuing?

Select all that apply

  • Artist

  • Songwriter

  • Producer

  • Musician

  • Engineer

  • Other (please describe)

Section 2 — Who You Are Creatively

* What was the song that made you fall in love with music and why?

Song title and artist. If a memory comes with it, we'd love to hear it. (4-5 sentences)

* Who are you as a creative?

Tell us who you are, what you make, and what you're building. Not the bio version — the real version. What do you actually care about making, and why does it matter to you? Be specific.

* What makes your creative voice uniquely yours?

Every artist has something that makes their work unmistakably theirs — a perspective, a signature, a combination of both. Tell us what that is for you.

* What genre(s) best represent your work?

Select all that apply

  • Americana / Folk

  • Blues

  • Classical / Orchestral

  • Country

  • Electronic / Dance

  • Gospel / Christian

  • Hip-Hop / Rap

  • Indie / Alternative

  • Jazz

  • Latin

  • Metal / Hard Rock

  • Pop

  • R&B / Soul

  • Rock

  • World / Global

  • Other (please describe)

Section 3 — Your Work

We want to see what you're actually building — not your best-case version of it, but the real, current, working version.

* Have you released music publicly?

  • Yes

  • No

* How many songs or projects have you released publicly in the last two years?

  • None yet

  • 1–3

  • 4–10

  • More than 10

* Do you perform live?

  • Yes, regularly (at least once a month)

  • Occasionally (a few times a year)

  • Rarely

  • No

* Do you co-write?

  • Yes, regularly

  • Sometimes — it depends on the project

  • I’ve co-written before but primarily write alone

  • No — I write alone

If you co-write, tell us a bit about your co-writing experience.

Who do you typically write with? How often? If co-writing is new or rare for you, that’s okay — tell us where you are with it honestly. Co-writes are a core part of this program, and we want to pair you with the right people. 

* What are you currently working on?

What's in progress right now — what are you in the middle of, what are you building toward?

* Walk us through your last 12 months musically.

What did you release, record, perform, or build? What did you try that didn't land? What surprised you? Be specific — this tells us more about who you are as a working creative than almost anything else in this application.

Do you currently have any team members?

Music is a team sport. If you have a booking agent, manager, publisher, or any other team members, please list them here.

* Share 3 examples of your work.

For each: title, link, year, and your role. Professionally released tracks, demos, live recordings, and works-in-progress are all welcome. We're not looking for polished — we're looking for real.

Example 1

Title / Link / Year / Your Role

Example 2

Title / Link / Year / Your Role

Example 3

Title / Link / Year / Your Role

* Which of those pieces best represents where you are right now as a creative — and why?

Not why it's your best work. Why it's the most you. There's a difference.

* Please upload 2 Artist/Promotional photos.

Artist photos or a recent high-quality headshot. These may be used for Program announcements if you are selected.

Additional materials

Tour schedules, press, additional work samples, or anything else that gives us a fuller picture of who you are and what you're building. (Optional)

Section 4 — Growth & Readiness

* How long have you been actively pursuing music as a career?

  • Less than 1 year

  • 1–2 years

  • 3–5 years

  • 6–10 years

  • More than 10 years

* How many hours per week do you currently dedicate to your music career?

  • Under 5 hours

  • 5–15 hours

  • 15–30 hours

  • More than 30 hours

* What is your primary source of income right now?

  • Fully from music

  • Mostly music, with some other income

  • Split evenly between music and other work

  • Mostly a day job, with some music income

  • Entirely a day job — music isn't generating income yet

* Where do you want your creative career to be in three years — and what is standing between you and that today?

Be specific. "I want to blow up" tells us nothing. "I want to land my first sync placement and go part-time at my day job by the end of next year" tells us everything.

* What is actually in your way right now?

Not the version you'd post about. The real one. The more honest and specific your answer, the more useful it is — for us in understanding you, and for a mentor in helping you.

* You're not a beginner. So why mentorship — and why now?

This program is for people who are already in it and have hit something they can't get past alone. What's the wall? What have you tried? Why is this the right moment?

* What kind of mentorship would be most valuable to you right now?

Select all that apply

  • Songwriting craft

  • Artist development

  • Production

  • Recording & studio process

  • Music business fundamentals

  • Publishing & licensing

  • Management & team building

  • Touring & live performance

  • Marketing & audience building

  • Career strategy

Other than mentorship, what other resources would best support your creative journey in the future?

Section 5 — Community

This program isn't just about what you'll learn from your mentors — it's about what you'll build with the people in the room with you.

* Tell us about a meaningful collaboration you've been part of.

Who was it with? What made it work? What did you learn about yourself as a collaborator from that experience?

* Tell us about a time feedback shaped your work.

Who gave it? What was difficult about hearing it? What changed afterward?

* What do you hope to contribute to the AUDION creative community — not just receive from it?

We're building something, not just offering something. What do you bring to a community of creatives? What do you give when nobody's keeping score?

Acknowledgements

Please review and confirm each of the following before submitting.

☐  I confirm that all information submitted in this application is truthful and accurate.

☐  I understand that submitting an application does not guarantee selection.

☐  I understand that this Program is focused on growth, collaboration, mentorship, and community — not guaranteed publishing deals, record deals, management, or industry placement.

☐  I understand that selected participants are expected to actively participate in mentorship experiences between October 15, 2026 and February 28, 2027.

☐  I confirm that I currently reside within 30 miles of Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee.

☐  I understand that portions of my application may be reviewed anonymously by members of the AUDION Review Council.

☐ I understand that my information will be kept confidential and used solely for purposes related to the Program, and will not be shared outside of The AUDION Foundation except with vendors, contractors, or partners engaged to help administer the Program.

☐  I understand that The AUDION Foundation may use my submitted name, likeness, and approved creative materials for Program-related announcements if selected.

☐  I understand that kindness, generosity, collaboration, and respect for others are core values of this Program.

Final Question

Is there anything else you'd like us to know?

The floor is yours. (Optional)

Thank you for taking the time to share your story, your work, and your heart with us.

We know that getting here takes more than talent — it takes persistence, belief, and a willingness to keep going when the path isn't clear. That means something to us.

We hope this is the beginning of your relationship with The AUDION Foundation and the creative community we're building around it.

We're grateful you're here.

— The AUDION Team