We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful A.J. Campbell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with A.J. below.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I founded The Quarantine Players during the pandemic as a response to the sudden halt in the theater industry. It was a platform for artists to continue their craft and for new plays, especially my own, to be read and critiqued. Our focus was primarily on new works, driven by my belief that the theater industry might lean towards familiar productions post-pandemic. This experience was incredibly enriching, but as the world started reopening, the viability of online theater diminished.

I’ve channeled this experience into my latest venture, Bains Collier Publishing. We aim to publish plays, theater-related literature, and non-fiction using AI and modern tech tools. This new company is a phoenix rising from The Quarantine Players’ ashes, set to release its first book early next year. It represents a business evolution and a continued commitment to bringing fresh, diverse voices to the forefront of the arts.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey is driven by a commitment to introducing new and original work, whether it’s through theater or publishing. I have a profound passion for this, especially in plays and editing novels for publication. I’ve observed a significant contrast in how new work is received in these two fields. In theater, new plays are often met with skepticism, their success heavily weighed against financial viability and audience reception. This can limit artistic risk-taking and innovation.

Conversely, the publishing industry operates on a fundamentally different model that inherently embraces and relies on new work. Here, there’s an exciting cooperative aspect: we work on a revenue-sharing model, creating a more collaborative and supportive environment. This model benefits the creators and fosters a diverse range of fresh, original content.

My goal is to bridge these worlds, using my experiences to challenge the traditional hesitations in theater and applying the cooperative, innovative spirit of publishing to all my creative endeavors. Ultimately, I aim to create spaces where new work is not just accepted but celebrated, breaking free from the constraints of traditional models to champion the undiscovered and the groundbreaking.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I believe the key to supporting artists and fostering a thriving creative ecosystem lies in recognizing and addressing the unique challenges creatives face. One significant step would be implementing a universal basic income for artists. Creativity isn’t just about writing, painting, or composing; it’s a complex process that involves aligning one’s work with the broader societal context and finding relevance in the current moment.

For instance, my writing journey was fraught with early criticism and skepticism. I was often told that making a living as a writer was unrealistic. However, the path to artistic success is seldom immediate. Few creatives are instantly acknowledged as ‘good enough.’ Instead, it takes years of practice, feedback, and the right opportunities to hone one’s craft and find a voice that resonates with the right audience at the right time.

By providing a universal basic income, society can offer artists the stability they need to cultivate their skills without the constant pressure of financial survival. Such support would allow creatives the freedom to explore, experiment, and develop their work until it finds its place in society. It’s about creating an environment where artists can prepare, be ready, and have a vision not stifled by immediate financial constraints.

This support system acknowledges that art is an integral part of society. It’s a long-term investment in cultivating diverse voices and perspectives that enrich our cultural landscape. We can only truly nurture a dynamic and thriving creative ecosystem with such foundational support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bainscollier.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajcampbell/