An extraordinary initiative dubbed "By Artist" is capturing widespread attention throughout Al Batinah, sparking the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth.
Spearheaded by the visionary Laila Saif Salem Al-Rubaie, an ardent arts educator, this initiative transcends mere artistic creation, fostering the acumen to translate ideas into profitable ventures among children.
Its inception at Maathir Al Noor for Basic Education School heralds a remarkable transformation within the institution, garnering enthusiastic community support.
Laila champions the potency of creativity as a distinct form of self-expression, a catalyst for innovative thinking, and a conduit for birthing novel concepts. "By Artist" transcends conventional art pedagogy, aiming to arm children with the realization of their creative potential, nurture their talents into viable commodities, and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset from an early age.
Imagine a classroom where budding artists metamorphose into enterprising individuals, where crayons and brushes serve as instruments for both artistic expression and business ingenuity. This project isn't just about colourful drawings and imaginative stories, it's about turning these creations into goods that can be sold and shared with the community. These young minds are not only exploring their artistic abilities but also learning the value of hard work, creativity, and financial independence.
The core idea behind "By Artist" was to bridge the gap between imagination and reality, transforming children's artistic creations into commercial products. These products were designed to cater to the diverse interests of the community across different age groups, like booklets and posters, notebooks and pads, illustrated children's stories, various cups, bags and wallets, water bottles and food containers, T-shirts and backpacks, and puzzle games. A set of products was announced under the brand By Artist and an e-shop was established.
Young artists benefit immensely from understanding the blend of creativity and business. It ensures sustainability, professional growth, and broader visibility for their work. By mastering marketing, negotiation, and financial management, they gain independence and adaptability in the ever-evolving art market.
Initiatives worldwide support this fusion: arts entrepreneurship programs offer tailored education, incubators provide resources and mentorship, collaborative spaces foster networking, online platforms enable global reach, and community events offer exposure and learning opportunities. Through these avenues, young artists cultivate both artistic prowess and entrepreneurial acumen, laying a solid foundation for their future success in the creative industry.
"By Artist" is not just a school project either. It is a journey of empowerment, where children learn that their ideas have value, that their creativity can fuel their dreams, and that starting a business is within their reach. As these budding entrepreneurs navigate the process of turning imagination into income, they're not just earning money; they're earning confidence, resilience, and a lifelong passion for turning ideas into reality.
The parents were amazed at their children's talents and school ideas to transform their ideas into products and draw the road of business from an early age.
Hana Al Kumi, a mom of one of these talented children, said, "I am really glad to see my little girl working hard, discussing business and her mind is growing toward entrepreneurship in the right way. To see her progressing and participating in such initiative makes me happy and proud .”
A recent community survey revealed overwhelming satisfaction with the initiative, with an impressive 95% expressing pride and approval upon learning about its impact. Laila is now strategizing a marketing campaign to showcase her team's products, with active participation from the children themselves, garnering widespread support from the community. Today, "By Artist" brands adorn various shops and libraries, where patrons eagerly purchase their delightful products.
As the "By Artist" initiative gained popularity, it became a symbol of innovation and creativity, inspiring other schools and communities to explore the unique potential of young artists and their imaginative worlds and show it to society and get the benefit of it for a better and brighter future.
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