Different Endeavours, Same Goals: Empowering the Creative Sector 

In the dynamic realm of artistic expression and professional growth, the “League of Creativity” artist networking platform emerges as a beacon of opportunity. Its mission? To provide a solid foundation for the upward trajectory of young artists in their professional journey, facilitated through the cultivation of essential soft skills. As the YW4CULT project unfolds, it becomes apparent that several online resources are aligning to foster a holistic environment of growth for these aspiring talents. 

Felt Magnet stands as a noteworthy resource that intersects perfectly with the goals of the YW4CULT project. This platform plays host to the intriguing “Artist Corner” section. Here, an array of artists come together to share their insights, musings, and practical advice. Articles delve into sources of inspiration, personal creative processes, and the journey of honing artistic skills. Beyond the conventional approach of showcasing finished pieces, Felt Magnet’s Artist Corner acts as a vibrant hub where artists not only reveal their artworks but also open the doors to their creative sanctuaries. A shining example is the article titled “Zoo Animals: A Monthly Theme to Inspire Artwork“ by the artist Jackie Block. Through this piece, Jackie not only shares the motivations that drive her artistic endeavours but also provides a window into the process behind the creation of her evocative artworks. Instead, the article “5 Gimp Photo Editing Tricks for Print-on-Demand Sellers” by Talfonso offers practical advice on harnessing the potential of the Gimp photo editing app. These insights not only enable artists to refine their creative finesse but also empower them with valuable tools for navigating the digital dimension of their work. 

On a broader horizon, the MP3 Project emerges as a profound initiative that resonates deeply with the spirit of the YW4CULT project. This project brings together the realms of music, education, and professionalism. Hailing from the collaborative efforts of Spain, Italy, and France, the MP3 Project embarks on a mission to support and elevate musicians in their professional trajectories. The contemporary music landscape is a realm of dynamic challenges, where harmonies and rhythms collide with practical realities. The MP3 Project confronts these complexities head-on, acknowledging that being a musician entails mastering a diverse array of skills. It’s no longer sufficient to merely create captivating melodies; the modern musician needs to be a “Poly-Vaillant,” akin to a Swiss Army knife of music, equipped to navigate an array of domains including collaboration, organization, administration, and even negotiation. This project comes as a guidance, offering tools and resources that extend beyond the realm of melodies to encompass the intricacies of professionalization. 

Future Festival Tools adds another layer to this evolving tapestry of resources. Dedicated to the festival industry, Future Festival Tools addresses a pressing concern: the environmental impact of events. This project recognizes that while events are spaces of celebration and creativity, they also bear a responsibility to the planet. Future Festival Tools responds by offering an array of resources that enable event organizers and teams to navigate the intricacies of sustainability. From self-assessment tools that help identify knowledge gaps to case studies spotlighting sustainable practices, this platform empowers stakeholders to curate events that are not just aesthetically engaging but environmentally responsible. 

In conclusion, the alignment of platforms like Felt Magnet, MP3 Project, and Future Festival Tools with the goals of the YW4CULT project signifies a promising trajectory for young artists and professionals. These resources exemplify the power of collaboration, innovation, and information-sharing in cultivating an environment where talents can flourish, skills can mature, and creativity can thrive. As the YW4CULT project journey continues, the interconnectedness of these platforms serves as a testament to the transformative potential of a united pursuit of artistic and professional excellence. 

Why consider becoming an event organiser

Being an event manager in creative sector promises a dynamic and thriving opprotunities that offers numerous chances for those interested in planning and organizing various types of hepenings and events. Whether it’s a creative mash-up conference, music festival or art exibittion, event management professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that these occasions run smoothly and successfully.

Before you enter in the field, this is what you can consider:

Assess your skills and interests: Event management requires a diverse skill set – organization, communication, problem-solving, negotiation, creativity, and attention to detail. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses to determine if you have the necessary skills or are willing to develop them.

Build practical experience: To enhance your chances of success, gain hands-on experience in event management. Volunteer to help organize events, intern with event management companies or venues, or take up event-related roles in organizations. This practical experience will not only develop your skills but also provide you with valuable industry contacts.

Network. Network. Network and Network: Networking plays a vital role in the event management industry. Attend industry gatherings – informal and formal to connect with professionals in the field.

Gain business and marketing knowledge: Event managers often work independently or as entrepreneurs. Acquiring knowledge of business management, marketing, and finance will be beneficial in managing your own event management business or advancing in your career.

Be passionate and dedicated: Event management can be demanding and stressful, especially as deadlines approach. It requires long hours, multitasking, and managing various stakeholders. Being passionate about the industry and dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences will help you thrive in this profession.

Remember that event management is a competitive field, and success may not come overnight. With perseverance, continuous learning, and a proactive approach, you can build a successful career as an event manager.

What it takes nowadays to be creative business – interview with Ghetto Dance Academy school creators

Ghetto Dance Academy is one of the biggest street culture and dance schools in Latvia, that have been actively promoted and leaded by two young people Rusya and Peppka who decided to turn their passion into business by creating a show programs and dance academy. We interviewed them in order to understand what it takes to be in the creative sector business and what are the key factors to consider!

Develop Your Creativity: The creative sector, especially show business, thrives on originality and innovation. Cultivate your creative skills and continually work on expanding your artistic abilities. Explore different mediums, experiment with new ideas, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends.

Build a Strong “Portfolio” and Promote Yourself: Effective self-promotion is crucial in the creative sector. Our portfolio nowadays is our social media accounts – Instagram, Tiktok. A portfolio showcasing your best work, daily work, special moments and shows is crucial in the creative sector. It demonstrates your skills, style, scale and versatility to potential clients or employers. Regularly update and curate your “portofilio” or visibility platforms to reflect your growth and expertise.

Network and Collaborate: Networking plays a vital role in the creative industry. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with other creative professionals. Collaborating with others can lead to new opportunities, broaden your horizons, and foster creative partnerships.

Understand Your Target Market: One of the main rules in the business is to research and understand your target market to identify their needs, preferences, and trends. Tailor your creative work to meet these demands while also bringing your unique perspective and style to the table.

Develop Entrepreneural Skills: Creativity alone is not enough to succeed in the creative sector. Acquire essential business skills such as marketing, budgeting, project management, time management and negotiation.

Embrace Continuous Learning: The creative sector is dynamic, and staying ahead requires a commitment to continuous learning. Seek out workshops, courses, and mentorship opportunities to improve your skills, explore new techniques, and keep up with industry advancements.

To sum-up – success in the creative sector is a combination of talent, hard work, adaptability, and effective business practices. By continually improving and challanging yourself, building a strong network, and embracing opportunities, you can establish great success in every creative business.

From Passion to Profession The Must-Have Cultural Skills for Today’s Youth

Many young people are interested in pursuing a career in the cultural and creative industry (CCI). Whether they are interested in visual arts, music, theatre, or any other creative field, the industry can be an exciting and rewarding workplace. However, it can also be competitive and challenging to break into at the same time. That’s why it’s important to cultivate the right set of skills from the beginning to succeed.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the vital cultural skills you need to succeed in today’s job market and provide practical tips and advice for developing them. Let’s dive in.

5 Key Cultural Skills for Success in the Creative Industry

Creativity and Innovation

Creativity is at the heart of the cultural and creative industry. Whether you’re a writer, designer, or musician, you need to be able to come up with fresh ideas and perspectives. You should be able to think outside the box and take risks while balancing creative expression with practical considerations.

Cultural Literacy and Awareness

The cultural and creative industry is about understanding and celebrating diverse perspectives and experiences. You should be able to navigate and appreciate different cultures, customs, and traditions. You should also be familiar with the history and context of the industry, as well as the latest trends and developments.

Adaptability and Flexibility

The cultural and creative industry is constantly evolving, and you need to be able to adapt to change. You should be able to pivot quickly and embrace new technologies and approaches. You should also be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty and be able to work in various settings and environments.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Collaboration is critical in the cultural and creative industry. You should be able to work effectively with others and be open to feedback and critique. You should be able to communicate your ideas clearly and respectfully while also listening and incorporating others’ perspectives. You should also be able to build and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, clients, and collaborators.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Finally, strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential in the cultural and creative industry. You should be able to express yourself clearly and confidently in written and verbal formats. You should also be able to empathize with others, build rapport, and negotiate and problem-solve effectively.

How to Develop These Essential Cultural Skills

We now know the cultural skills needed for a successful career in the cultural and creative sectors. Next comes the question of how to develop these essential cultural skills. Not everyone is born and raised growing these skillsets, so they need to a place to start. Below you will find some tips and advice:

• Practice, practice, practice: Cultivating cultural skills takes time and effort. Look for opportunities to practice your creativity, cultural literacy, adaptability, collaboration, and communication skills in and outside school or work.
• Seek feedback: Get feedback from mentors, teachers, colleagues, or other professionals in the industry. Use their input to improve your skills and build your confidence.
• Learn from others: Look for role models or inspiration in the industry. Read books, watch videos, or attend workshops or events that can help you expand your knowledge and perspectives.
• Keep learning: The cultural and creative industry constantly changes, so staying current with the latest trends and developments is essential. Consider taking classes, attending conferences, or pursuing other learning opportunities to help you grow and develop.

Career Paths in the Cultural and Creative Industry

A wide variety of career paths are available in the cultural and creative industry, including roles in marketing, advertising, film, television, music, theatre, and more. Here are some examples of how different cultural skills can be applied in different roles:

• A writer needs creativity, cultural literacy, and communication skills to craft engaging and meaningful stories.
• A graphic designer needs creativity, adaptability and collaboration skills to design visually compelling materials.
• An event planner needs adaptability, collaboration, and communication skills to organize successful and memorable events.
• A musician needs creativity, cultural literacy, and communication skills to compose and perform compelling music that resonates with diverse audiences.
• An arts administrator needs adaptability, cultural literacy, and collaboration skills to manage and promote cultural events and programs that serve diverse communities.

Conclusion

The cultural and creative industry offers many opportunities for young people passionate about creativity and innovation. However, you must cultivate strong cultural skills to succeed in this competitive and ever-changing industry. By developing your creativity, cultural literacy, adaptability, collaboration, and communication skills, you can position yourself for success and build a fulfilling and rewarding career in the industry.

Remember, cultivating cultural skills takes time, effort, and practice. But with the right mindset and approach, you can develop the skills you need to succeed and thrive in the cultural and creative industry. So, start exploring your passions, seeking opportunities to learn and grow, and connecting with others in the industry. Who knows where your journey will take you?

What Is Social Innovation and How It Can Be Supported by the Creative Sectors?

When talking about innovation, we automatically think of a new technology developed in a company lab as part of their R&D to support their growth. However, this does not capture the whole picture of innovation. Innovation is essential for companies to grow and for societies to prosper.

In this article, we’ll look closely at social innovation and how creativity can drive it.

What is social innovation?

The process of creating and implementing innovative, effective solutions to social or environmental problems is referred to as social innovation. Whether derived from national policies, governmental or non-governmental groups, such solutions should better fulfil contemporary societal requirements than previous efforts.

Social innovation is intended to have a long-term, large-scale impact. Traditionally, non-profit organizations have promoted social innovation, but the corporate world is equally eager to solve society’s concerns.

The importance of social innovation

The world is more interconnected than ever, and one country’s problems can quickly spread to another. The world is facing slow economic growth, high inflation rates, war, poverty and diseases. All these are social issues that cannot go on forever, and we need to find solutions as soon as possible.

That’s when businesses step in, as all these big social issues pose great business opportunities. Simply put, we need to put our best innovative minds to good use to provide solutions to the world’s greatest challenges and to align business and social benefits.

Throughout the years, we’ve come up with more than one way to measure prosperity. When GDP was considered the only way to measure prosperity, now we investigate statistics like happiness, individual freedoms, democracy, financial wellbeing etc.

Changing how we view the world and being more open-minded about what prosperity truly is can change our mindset. In an interconnected world, the challenges are endless, and we must constantly find new ways to deal with them. Social innovation can make us think more creatively about social entrepreneurship and for-profit businesses.

We tend to mistake social businesses as some form of charity which is false. Particularly social innovation adds two critical components to innovation which are social and economic sustainability.

Creativity is the fuel of social innovation

Being innovative means doing something new. Something out of the ordinary. Something that none has thought or implemented before. But that’s why innovation is so difficult to achieve.

To be innovative means to break the barriers of the unknown and expand our horizons. To do so, it takes a lot of skill, dedication, and creativity to come up with new ideas. Which is not a one-time time but needs to be constant.

Creativity allows us to see things differently. It allows us to identify when something might be possible in the first place when others are “blind” to it. On the other hand, innovation, or social innovation for that matter, is the next step and goes hand in hand with creativity. As soon as we can identify a possible solution to a problem, innovation steps in to make it real.

For this reason, it is important to make people more creative. Even though many people think of themselves as not being creative, that’s not true. Everyone has the innate ability to be creative, and we all exercise it daily.

Creativity is not limited to artistic expression, as many believe. We use creativity every day to make decisions or solve problems. Therefore, everyone has it to some degree. The good news is that there are things you can do to increase your creativity levels.

Conclusion

Based on all these, and getting back to social innovation and creativity, they go hand-in-hand. We will be able to find solutions to the world’s greatest challenges only if the world becomes more creative. That’s why, when thinking about the future and creating a better world, the creative sectors cannot be left out.

The problem with the above is that the connection between the cultural and creative industries is not obvious, and people can’t realize the connection. Not only do the CCIs employ creative people that could contribute to social innovations and make the world think more creatively overall.

CulturEU: A Detailed Guide on EU Funding for Cultural and Creative Projects

Who wouldn’t want a handy tool to find EU funding for cultural and creative projects with just a few clicks? With the recent launch of CulturEU, the European Commission wants to make EU funding more accessible to anyone in the cultural and creative sector, which has seen better days.

Using the information gathered from the CulturEU guide can also help EUcalls users find culture and creative calls and partners easier.

The Situation of the Cultural and Creative Industries

Cultural and creative industries were among those hit the hardest from the pandemic as a large part of the sector depends on large gatherings. As a result, music festivals, theatres, cinemas, and other venue-based activities were significantly affected, leaving many artists and workers in the sector hanging.

Without knowing when the situation will get better, these professionals are significantly exposed and vulnerable due to the usually non-contractual nature of their work. However, one thing is certain. As the world is still trying to get the pandemic under control, the cultural and creative sector will be the last to open up, at least not in full capacity.

An EU funding guide for cultural and creative projects

The CulturEU is an interactive guide to allow easier access to all available funding opportunities for cultural and creative projects in the EU. It covers opportunities from Creative Europe, the European Commission’s flagship programme, and other EU funding programmes like Digital Europe, LIFE, and EU structural Funds.

Apart from Creative Europe that is known for providing EU funding for cultural and creative projects, the others are not so obvious. The reason is that these EU funding programmes have different priorities. Still, they also issue calls with a more cultural and creative dimension from time to time. As a result, many creative sector professionals interested in EU grants often overlook these opportunities.

On the release of CulturEU, the commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, Mariya Gabrial, commented: “The mapping of EU funds done by CulturEU is unprecedented. I hope that this guide will further contribute to making our funds more accessible to all cultural organisations and help them on their way to a sustainable recovery.

How to get funds for cultural projects using CulturEU

Using the CulturEU guide is not difficult at all. Users need to answer a series of simple questions like the sector they work in, the type of organization they represent, and what kind of support they are looking for.

Doing so, they will end up with narrowed-down results from all relevant and available funding sources tailored to their needs. Apart from all EU programmes that provide funding for cultural and creative projects, they also find information on the programmes’ budget, the application process, and links to those programmes or calls.

Find funding for culture projects with EUcalls

Knowing which EU programmes provide funding for culture projects helps interested organizations or individuals to be more focused in their search. This information can also help EUcalls users who wish to find European Calls using our smart platform. In essence, they can use our advanced filters to narrow down their options during their search for culture and creative funding.

For example, knowing which EU programmes provide EU funding for cultural and creative projects, they can focus only on calls under those specific programmes using our filters.

The optimum way to search for calls is by combining those filters with keywords. By typing a relevant keyword to the type of funding they are looking for, they can further narrow down their options. For example, by typing “architect” in the keyword box and selecting the “Digital Europe” programme from the relevant programme filter, all the available calls related to architects under “Digital Europe” will show up.

Conclusion

Artists and professionals in the cultural and creative sectors require further support during the turbulent times created by COVID-19. EU funding opportunities for culture projects could provide a much-needed boost for all creatives.

Using the CulturEU guide and EUcalls, they will not only find calls to fund their culture and creative projects, but they will also find ways to occupy themselves during these idle times and keep their engines of creativity and imagination running.