Abi Meats is on a mission to reduce career snobbery and get creative industries the recognition they deserve in schools.
The artist, who runs Everyday Sunshine in Stoke Newington, has written a book ‘How to be a Creative,’ with interviews, tips and inspiration from a stellar line up of creatives.
They include Garth Jennings, writer and director of Disney’s Sing movies, architect Antoinette Nassopoulos-Erickson, who helped to create the world’s first commercial spaceport and musician Rae Morris. The book’s creation to this point has been sponsored by designers Joseph and Joseph.
Now Abi has launched a Crowdfunder in a bid to provide a copy of How to be a Creative to every school in the UK. Backers who pledge £30 or more will receive a copy of the book.
Abi said: “The aim of the book is to talk about the work creatives do and give kids more options. I want to infiltrate the curriculum and show the breadth of jobs there are – from graphic designers and colourists to set design, wig design and special effects.
“The UK is known for its creative industries – it’s one of the world’s biggest exporters for special effects; it has its own economy!”
Abi teaches Advertising and Brand at Ravensbourne University and has noticed a real downturn in the number of UK students taking creative subjects.
She added: “Art in schools has been watered down so much. The talent pipeline that feeds the UK’s successful creative economy, and with it the economic backbone and cultural identity of the country, is blocked.
“When Rishi Sunak announced plans to make maths compulsory till 18, I thought ‘he can f*** off – this is the time to launch the book!”
Each creative featured in the book gives advice about how to break into their industry, tips, insights and inspiring examples of their work. There are also practical guides including engaging exercises such as spotting faces in everyday items and making a giant cardboard birthday cake.
Abi added: “The career snobbery that exists is ridiculous. I know people who work in the creative industries who earn an absolute fortune. We have to get past it and get people to view art as just as important as the stem subjects. Art is culture and that is the most important thing; it’s what brings the country together.”
Click here to support the Crowdfunder.
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