At Creative Arts East we have been working on a project that is focused around young arts leadership, which will culminate with a vibrant online Instagram Takeover called ‘Leading The Way’. The day will showcase young artists and the work and experiences they have had being in the arts.
Olivia, who is a creative member of the advisory group for the project, has been working hard to guide us and the project, all from the perspective of an artistic young person. We took the chance to ask her a few questions about herself and her experiences…
Introduce yourself and tell us why you decided to get involved with the youth advisory board for Creative Arts East’s online project for young art leaders.
Hi, my name is Olivia Rodgers, I am 16 years old. I decided to get involved with the youth advisory board to build confidence in my art knowledge and planning because it is something I am really interested in and want to do in the future. It also sounded like such a fun, different and exciting opportunity.
Do you create any arts yourself? What media is it, can you describe it?
I do love to create art myself, it is mainly painting, expressive and bold style. I have branched out recently to try detailed portraiture and I am enjoying it very much. Its helped me become more confident in myself, and my work.
Who is your favourite artist? This could be a film director, musician, visual artist…whoever you find inspiring! And why?
I do not think I could pick a favourite artist! But I love when people break boundaries and rules. Start new trends or ideas. I think they are very interesting to research and look at their work, because it had never been done before. It stimulates your mind to think in new ways as well and become even more creative and different.
What is your favourite film/music and why?
I love music that is again experimental and true to the person who is creating it. It really shows their love for what they are creating and how passionate they are for their work or songs. I also love big instrumental music, it creates an atmosphere like no other, and really makes me appreciate what I’m listening to.
Do you get involved in decision making in an arts capacity at all? In what way?
Yes, I have done in the past. I completed my Silver Arts Award at a National Saturday Club at the Time and Tide Museum. This involved us putting on our own exhibition in the leadership section of the award. I worked in a team of 4, making many decisions in the end to pull off a week long exhibition in a local space, displaying many young people’s artwork and some of my own.
Why do you think it is important for younger people to be involved in decisions being made around the arts?
I think it is really important because I think young people’s voices are overheard in the professional world of art and maybe would be seen as not serious. But the arts are an all-inclusive place, so that means everyone should have an input and make decisions. It also makes it more enjoyable for young people when they are involved because it makes them want to stay, learn and grow as artists.
What are you most looking forward to with your future work in arts?
I want to make a living in the arts and for it to become a job for me, not just a hobby. I want it to take me places I’ve never been to and let me into new industries that I’ve never seen. And even meet people I’ve never met before. I would love to have a job in the arts that lets me travel and really immerse myself in culture and arts all over the world, just appreciating other ways of life and their art in their worlds.
If like Olivia, you’d like to get involved in our youth arts leadership project, email lea@creativeartseast.co.uk or DM us on Instagram @CreativeArtsEast
Send us your work to contribute to our Instagram event ‘Leading the Way’, all about being a young leader in the arts, taking place on Saturday 3rd October 2020. This event is for under 25s who have any interest in arts related activities and would like to share your own authentic experience and get your voice heard!
Click here to submit your work or click here to read our blog with full details about our Instagram Takeover!
