Supporting Creativity
In a world where the value of creativity is often questioned, it's necessary to highlight its significance and advocate for its support. Our team reflect on broader issues ingrained in societal attitudes toward the arts.
From funding cuts to a lack of recognition, the creative industry continually faces challenges that threaten its vitality. However, amidst these adversities, there's a resounding call to action – to champion creativity.
“ During my art and design diploma, there was a moment that really stuck in my memory. A tutor asked us to raise our hand if we’d ever been made to feel that our artistic abilities weren’t valuable, or that art wasn’t a career-worthy subject.
Every hand went up.
With an average age of 19, our natural talents had already been collectively invalidated. Looking back, it’s impressive that anyone made it that far. With schools cutting art, music and drama to the bare minimum, or removing them as options altogether, the UK is doing a fantastic job of undermining industries that make billions for the economy.
Back in 2022, the government confirmed funding cuts to university arts courses in England, despite huge opposition. During the pandemic, support for the arts was woeful. Many freelancers fell through the cracks when it came to furlough, and theatres and music venues remained closed long after football terraces were flush with fans.
This felt like another short-sighted swipe at the creative industry. Across the board the message is clear: your skills aren’t valued.
But young people who lean towards the arts should be nurtured, not knocked back. We aren’t all born to be scientists. We can’t all ’pivot to cyber’. And we don’t have to.
The UK’s creative industries contribute over 122 billion to the economy. The video game sector is worth over 5 billion alone. How many young people will enter these sectors if we keep telling them there’s no future in it?
As far back as 2012 the emergence of Chief Design Officer roles was a talking point. Design thinking continues to be embraced by the C-suite and integrated across operations, from strategy to HR.
Design, art and culture surround us, enriching our lives. And it all starts as a creative thought in somebody’s head, a scribble on a pad of paper.
For every developer writing the code for an app, there’s a UX designer creating the interface. Smartphones are created by teams of product designers as well as engineers. And if you’re old enough to remember the Window’s 95 start-up sound (heard billions of times and a key part of their branding), that was created by Brian Eno, it didn’t just materialise out of thin air.
The case for supporting creativity is indisputable. From the economic contributions of the creative industries to the intrinsic value they bring to our lives, it’s evident that stifling creativity is a disservice to individuals and society.
We’re navigating through times of growing technology, with a rise in AI tools being employed in the creative world. Where design agencies are now looking at using AI within their daily routine.
It’s imperative to advocate for the arts, nurture the next generation of creative talent, and ensure that creativity flourishes unhindered.
Let’s go spread the word.