Have you heard about the Creative Futures Forum? It’s pretty cool and important for you to know about if you’re interested in a career in the creative industries in the Gulf.
The British Council in partnership with the General Cultural Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are behind The Creative Futures Forum, which is on for just two days – February 3 to Monday, February 4. By the way, this is the first-of-its-kind event in the kingdom, making it a pretty big deal.
It’s an exciting time to be creative, so we are hosting a Forum in Riyadh for students, arts professionals,artists and anyone who has an interest in the creative professions and helping creativity to flourish. Join the discussion 2-4 February on our #CreativeFutures hashtag. pic.twitter.com/In7HJ9kzeW
— BritishCouncilUAE (@uaeBritish) February 3, 2019
What is it exactly?
The Creative Futures Forum has one aim – to discuss the social and economic potential of the creative economies in the Gulf region. Talks will also delve into how governments, institutions, communities and professionals can work together to help the next generation of creatives (you guys?) with the skills they need to make it in the creative industry. Sounds pretty important to us.
Creativity in education, international partnerships, new routes to employment and more investment in digital skills for the creative sector (we like that) are also on the table for discussion by key representatives from leading cultural organisations. That’s a lot of important ground to cover!
Who is there?
There more than 250 experts, students and arts professionals over the course of two days. It’s a pretty inspiring line-up of knowledgeable speakers who know their stuff. They include:
General Culture Authority’s CEO, Eng. Ahmad Almaziad
British Council’s Chief Executive, Sir Ciarán Devane
Mohannad Al Bakri, The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, Tashkeel
Uns Kattan, Art Jameel
HRH Nourah Al-Faisal
There will also be speakers from over 10 countries who will share their knowledge and experience to expertise all to help grow and inform a modern workforce of creative thinkers.
Why is it important?
Being a creative is hard work. Whether you’re a writer, filmmaker, artist, director, designer or something in between or even all of the above working on your craft is important.
But equally as important trying to figure out the logical steps of where you need to take yourself and your work to the level it needs to be in order for you to have a real and sustainable career.
Even if you aren’t there for the forum you can still learn something. Check out what’s going on by following:
#CreativeFutures
@GCA_Saudi on Twitter and Instagram
@uaebritish on Twitter
@britishcounciluae on Instagram.
@BritishCouncilUAE on Facebook
