In 2012, 18 Mentors were paired with Mentees to provide one-on-one support for their artist mentees. Over six months (April to September 2012), mentors assisted mentees in gaining broader access to the New York cultural world by sharing ideas, advice, resources and experiences. Mentors helped mentees achieve one or more specific goals, such as composing an artist statement, researching potential venues for showing their work, or completing a grant application.

In 2012 five mentees were awarded a Van Lier Fellowship in the categories of Architecture/Environmental Structures/Design and Printmaking/Drawing/Book Arts.The Edward and Sally Van Lier Fund at The New York Community Trust supports talented and culturally diverse young people who are seriously dedicated to a career in the arts. The purpose of the Fellowship is to enable young artists under 30 years of age to achieve significant professional credit that can lead to future career opportunities.

Group meetings were held along with trips and events that were self-initiated by the community fostered by the program.

Here is the list of the 2012 Mentors and Mentees: