How do we nurture the next generation of healthy creatives?

Reflections from Kevin Kling

I was so honoured to be part of this masterclass as a panellist, as I learned and laughed, and felt a kinship with the participants. There is so much to include as part of the reflection, both what I was able to say during the incredible conversation but also ideas meant to bring forth that never found a window.

As an artist, I wish more in my field knew that these conversations were happening. It would really hearten so many working creatives to know how much care and thought is given to the workplace and their well-being. Thank you!

Some thoughts…

The poet, Mary Oliver said, “It’s not the weight, it’s how we carry it.”

Johnny Cash (singer and songwriter) said, “Talent is God-given, but our style comes from our limitations.”

There is a saying from Zimbabwe, “Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero.”

It’s important our stories be told and heard. Everyone brings a perspective to a project, to a workplace, to fellow artists and employers. I find, as an artist with disabilities, like so many of my colleagues with disabilities, we bring a way of thinking that lives outside the box. We continually need to find ideas and solutions that come from living in a world not built for us. Every storyteller I know that’s worth their salt is also a great listener.

First and foremost, for everyone, employers and creatives should foster active listening. Not only does it bring forth innovative ideas, but when someone feels they’ve been heard, they are going to go that extra mile, put in extra effort because now they have skin in the game.

The poet Rumi said, “Before right-doing, before wrongdoing, there is a field, and I will meet you there.” That “field,” the place where artists and muses intersect. I remember watching the television show ‘Mad Men’ and the main character was lying on a couch with a magazine over his face. Someone walked by and asked him what he was doing, and he said, “Working.” Finding that space of creative thought is often our way of working. If we are overloaded, our muse gets shoved out. The Greeks called it an oneiric space, the place where dream and reality come together. As artists, we need to take care of and give ourselves the ability to find our oneiric space.

“Resiliency” is defined as “maintaining one’s shape.” When our shape has been compromised, often we turn to family, faith, community; they hold us together while we grow into our new selves. Our power is another energy. If resiliency comes from what connects us, power is created from what makes us different. Naturalist and geologist Charles Darwin said that ‘species are defined by what makes us the same, but we survive by what makes us different’.

An artist is created through their perspective, a unique view of a shared world…

It’s the home of innovation and ultimately survival. I believe institutions work in a similar organic method. Growing and searching, it’s said that a story is about questions, and when that question is answered, that story will die. Stories survive because the question they ask survives. We live in a continued state of wonder and questioning. Like beauty and truth, it cannot be held, but it can be recognised.

My friend Matt Sanford says, “Your body is the best home your mind will ever have.” As Clare Murphy (the host for the session) so beautifully stated in our talk, we have all stretched our bodies to their limits and beyond. Even so, your body continually feeds your mind information. Give your body the chance to provide the best information for your mind.

So finally, to the artists: find mentors. To organisers and employers: find mentors. Find ways of apprenticeship, ways of passing on the information. Techniques and lessons not only for the art form, but for survival and thriving. We stand on shoulders. The best artists know they are here because of those who have come before. Honor your tradition and legacy. These mentors live in timelines that run both horizontally and vertically, those with whom we share an era and those who preceded and will follow. We add our gifts to the pantheon and usher in the next generation.

These are a few random thoughts; find them useful or discard them: trust your own good sense. I can’t imagine a better way to experience the gift of life than being in the arts.

Reflections from Shari A. Jessie

Following on from the astute summary that Clare provided during the session, and holding the perspective of a creative mental health professional, there were some reflections that deserved to be expounded upon:

We know that working in our society and the expectations of our society create burnout; I unequivocally believe that is exacerbated in creatives. It is essential as a sector that we emphasise the importance of setting healthy boundaries. Creativity taps into your spirit and often it involves front-facing work with marginalised or vulnerable people. We are willing to give more of ourselves than we actually may be capable of giving. We often work at our own expense, and while the intentions are likely noble, you will rarely be able to present your best self or your best work when functioning in this manner.

Along with taking breaks, as mentioned above, learn to say “no” where it’s appropriate. Make sure that you're maintaining boundaries for your work schedule and that appropriate things are being asked of you. If someone is asking you to do work at a skill level that you do not have and that was never previously expected of you, advocate for the proper upskilling or CPD needed to support you in doing that effectively.

Something these masterclasses already reinforce, but that is essential for the wellbeing of creatives, is being connected with others and having community.

Community provides you with the ability to collaborate, to share ideas, and most importantly, for me, to establish a network of peer support to discuss your challenges. These people, hopefully, can bolster and empower you. That is vital to engaging in a healthy creative process that tends to and cares for your mental health. It also can lead to inspiration.

The most effective communities, in my opinion, centre diversity where possible. That is to say, people from different socioeconomic statuses and ages, who have varying lengths of time in the industry, who possess certain geographic knowledge, all offer different perspectives. Where I find this the most important is in advocacy.

Your own voice should, without doubt, be the loudest one in your head, and you should always trust your body and your instincts about what is right for you. However, access to different insights is ideal. You are more likely to approach a situation in a healthy, reasoned, and grounded way when you've been able to consider various perspectives on it. Someone in your network may have knowledge of the organisation or person you’re interacting with. They may have done the job previously. You may also be that person for someone else. In difficult situations, it’s also helpful to feel like someone has your back and is in your corner.

Lastly, I believe creatives need to get better at acknowledging their own talents and strengths, rather than focusing on what hasn't gone perfectly. Celebrating big and small wins, as well as creating an environment of positive and enthusiastic feedback, is important. More workplaces need to emphasise the celebration of achievement.

The language of your wellbeing isn’t just about what you need to get a job done well; it’s about how you find peace, joy, love, connection, and fulfilment within the work you do. All of us deserve that. My hope is that increasingly the industry, from the top down, will take on this responsibility, but if you as individuals or collectives must take up the mantle, remembering these ways of keeping yourself healthy is essential.

Reflections from Lerato Stanley-Dunn

Participants were led through a lovely exercise that saw the group create a collective poem by Lerato Stanley-Dunn who is a creative facilitator. Everyone was asked to add a wellbeing ingredient into the chat during the masterclass to create a wellbeing poem:

Collective Recipe for Wellbeing Poem - October 2025

Open the herb cupboard and dig

right round to the back to those old forgotten spices,

drag out that self-belief and shake in a good dash.

Add a sprinkling of connection

stirred into a large mixing bowl

allow issues and feelings to permeate.

Add a sprinkle of positivity

More sprinkles of positive affirmation sugar

A heaping cup of institutional transparency

Two spoons of acknowledging how hard something was.

Separate the doubt and use the creative trust,