The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative is a philanthropic programme by Swiss watchmaker Rolex that pairs gifted young artists with internationally recognized masters in architecture, dance, film, literature, music, theatre and visual arts for a year of creative collaboration in a one-to-one mentoring relationship.
The initiative was launched in 2002 and runs every two years.
[1] The mentoring programme grew out of a desire by Rolex to support artists in the same way that the Rolex Awards for Enterprise were supporting scientists, conservationists and explorers.
Mentor and protégé are expected to work together for six weeks over a two-year period.
[2] Each protégé receives a grant of about $41,000 in addition to funds for travel and expenses.