EKYOTO University · EKYOTO LIVE Mentorship · Syllabus
Syllabus
Course outline, schedule, expectations and the standards for completing the EKYOTO LIVE Mentorship.
About the course
The EKYOTO LIVE Mentorship is a 12 week program for African creators of every discipline. It treats creative work as both an art and a livelihood. Over twelve Thursdays, students set a goal, make work with the resources they have, learn how their industry works, protect what they own, and finish with a portfolio piece presented at the cohort showcase.
The course is taught through a live weekly conversation on VIVEX, a written lesson, readings from African writers, artists and leaders, and one practical challenge each week. Mentors adapt examples to each discipline. The learning outcomes stay the same.
What you will be able to do
- Set a realistic creative goal and plan the steps to reach it.
- Explain who you are as a creator in an artist statement and a short profile.
- Identify your audience and share your work where they are.
- Map the roles, opportunities and professional standards in your field.
- Keep track of what you own, and share and license your work safely.
- Plan an honest income from services, sales and licensing, with the risks in view.
- Set up a fair collaboration with a creator in another place.
- Present yourself and your work on camera and in a portfolio.
Weekly rhythm
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Before Thursday | Read the week's lesson and at least one item from the reading list. About 45 minutes. |
| Thursday, 6:00 PM East Africa Time | Live on VIVEX, about 90 minutes: welcome and check in, discussion and lesson, guest questions, creator practice, the weekly challenge, community close. |
| By the next Wednesday | Complete the weekly challenge using the matching worksheet and share it with your mentor. About 1 to 3 hours. |
Plan for 3 to 5 hours a week in total. The session is a real conversation, not a scripted production, so the order can change.
Schedule
Times are shown in East Africa Time.
Modules
| Module | Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Foundations | 1 to 3 | Goals, making with what you have, creative identity |
| 2. Audience and industry | 4 to 6 | Audience, how your industry works, ownership and rights |
| 3. The business of creativity | 7 to 9 | Publishing, honest income, collaboration across borders |
| 4. Showcase | 10 to 12 | Camera readiness, portfolio, the cohort showcase |
How you are assessed
There are no exams and no grades. Each weekly challenge gets written feedback from a mentor. At the end, a mentor reviews your record and your final work against the completion standards below. Feedback is private to you and the program team.
Completion standards
These standards are published before you enroll so you know exactly what is expected. To complete the program you need to:
- Attend. Join at least 9 of the 12 live sessions, or watch the replay and check in with your mentor that week.
- Practice. Submit at least 9 of the 12 weekly challenges. Work in progress counts.
- Finish a piece. Submit one final work sample for your portfolio in week 11, or equivalent work agreed with your mentor.
- Present. Take part in the week 12 showcase, live or recorded, or present privately to your mentor if you prefer not to appear publicly.
- Respect the community. Follow the community code below.
If illness, connectivity, caring duties, disability or anything else gets in the way, tell your mentor. Accommodations are documented and agreed with you, not judged by a score.
Your status moves through these stages: Enrolled, Active, Final work submitted, Mentor review, then Completed, More work requested or Not completed. If more work is requested you will be told exactly what is needed. Only students who complete can apply for GET NOTICED consideration when casting opens, and completion never guarantees selection.
Community code
- Treat every creator with respect, whatever their discipline, country or experience.
- Give feedback on the work, kindly and specifically. Never attack the person.
- Share only work you made or have permission to use. Credit collaborators.
- Do not record, copy or share other students' work or personal details without their permission.
- No harassment, unsafe contact, impersonation or pressure to pay for anything.
- Report anything that worries you through the report a concern form.
Access and support
Everything in this course can be done on a phone with a slow connection. Worksheets can be printed or copied into a notebook. If you need captions, a different format or more time, tell your mentor or note it in your application.
Please note
EKYOTO University is a learning program of EKYOTO Creative Exchange. It is not an accredited institution and does not award degrees. Students complete the program; they do not graduate. Nothing in this course promises earnings, contracts, VIVEX payments, distribution or selection for GET NOTICED.