Inspiring the Next Generation of Creatives – Create Your Future

I was lucky to be part of the Create Your Future project, a fantastic initiative designed to introduce 20 Year 9 students to the creative industries. Through a series of workshops, the project aimed to highlight the arts as a viable career path by connecting students with local practitioners who could inspire them to develop skills and explore their own creative journeys.

I was invited to deliver a session on what it means to be a fine artist. I shared an overview of my career path before leading the students through a hands-on creative activity designed to mirror real-world artistic commissions.

The Workshop: From Client to Artist

To give the students a taste of both sides of the creative process, I split the practical activity into two parts.

- Step 1: Becoming the Client
I presented the students with an arts brief similar to one I might receive for a commission. They took on the role of the client, and we worked through a consultation process (just as I would with real clients) to define the vision, themes, and requirements for a project.

- Step 2: Becoming the Artist
Next, the students switched roles. In groups, they became artists responding to the briefs created by their peers. Each group was assigned a different "client," and their challenge was to develop a design based on the consultation discussions.

This interactive approach helped them experience both the challenges and rewards of creative problem-solving, as well as the importance of clear communication in artistic commissions.

It was an inspiring experience to be part of this project, but I wasn’t the only creative involved, students also had the chance to learn from set designers, ceramicists, photographers, and more. Seeing their enthusiasm and ideas develop throughout the session was a real reminder of the power of creativity and its potential as a career.