My journey as a creative has been all about pivoting. First, from a visual artist to a teacher, next from an analog world to a digital one, then becoming an instructional designer, and finally back to a visual artist. My goal has always been to achieve a balance in my life between making a living, having a family, and using my creative abilities. One of the most recent, and perhaps one of the hardest, pivots in my career has been moving from the academic and software development worlds to the contracting and construction worlds.

For the majority of my career, I had been working at colleges or universities and at software companies that serve the education and communication industries. When the company I had been at for almost a decade was acquired by a larger company, the writing was on the wall, I knew I had to find another place to land. I first joined a contracting firm to build cyber security training for the military (boy, that was scary) and then joined a construction trade association to build safety training. I had to learn a vast amount of new technical material and translate it into educational content. At both places I was a unique creative that did not share a background or education with anyone else. I felt out of my depth. Just trying to learn all the acronyms was daunting. Some days I felt like a three-year-old, asking, “what does this mean?” 50 times a day.

While the cyber security gig didn’t last, I’m still at the construction trade association (nine years!) building safety training for workers. It’s challenging and yet deeply gratifying to know I contribute to making a dangerous job safer for everyone. I think the secret to pivoting is flexibility and curiosity. If you are curious about the world, you ask questions, you find answers, and you keep your knowledge of the world current. You try new things. I climbed in and out of huge construction equipment to experience what is like for drivers and operators. I have toured infrastructure projects, while wearing a hard hat, safety goggles and ear plugs, experiencing what it’s like to work in a noisy, dirty, and dangerous place. If you are flexible, you can take opportunities to learn new skills and apply them to different situations. You can visit locations and change schedules to fit the needs of both family and clients. And you can discard what doesn’t work and seek solutions that do work.

I think there are many opportunities for society to support artists, creatives, and a thriving creative ecosystem. At the core, I believe building art – visual, musical, theatrical into our educational system beginning in kindergarten and continuing into high school is foundational to these goals. Young children are naturally creative and want to explore. Once they get into school the opportunities for creative expression are devalued and become “elective.” Appreciation for art then fades. Keep art, music, and theater programs alive in school. Fund them with some of the money that goes into big-time sports events.

Many children miss out on any exposure to the arts, simply because of their socio-economic situation. Like traveling libraries, a traveling art show, or theater production can bring exposure, appreciation, and participation in the arts. Programs at rec centers and other community places can offer a safe and inspiring place to explore art.

Create programs in high school and college that help artists and creatives learn how to establish a small business, qualify as a DBE (disadvantaged business enterprise) when applicable, bid on a contract, and apply for grants. Publish funding opportunities in places where artists and creatives are most likely to find them.

And as a community member, go to events! Attend open mic nights and see local bands. Go to community theater plays. Buy art from craft shows, farmers markets, and galleries. Take a class or give one. If you have a space to rent, give an arts organization a discount.