How can you create a culture of authenticity and experimentation in the arts?

This is the life journey, right? I think before you can define your vison you need to understand what defining your vision means. I believe that we are walking around in a body that gives us access to a very specific model of reality. One that is unique to the limitations of the body but then freed by the limitless potential of the imagination. Based on how we are feeling during the moment of creation we are then able to use our imagination to design a new model of reality that is shared with others by bringing it into our shared physical model. Defining your vision is sharing an honest account of your experience as a human being while using the tools of the imaginary and material worlds to make it accessible for others.

Develop this vision with the entire team! Everyone should be able to share the project’s vision. This will make all the difference when it’s time to make the hard decisions. When team members understand what they’re working towards and understand the values that define the process, decision making is much easier and consistent.

First you have to experience it in real time to know what it is, and how people interact within it. It’s art, so don’t define your vision. Not in an attitude way! Learn the mechanics of doing your art at a real world school with human students, not online. Learn from the basics with other people, how to draw, paint, act, sing, pay guitar, sew etc without a computer. Have creative jam sessions with those people. There you see the concept in real time, from there authentic creative ideas come. From there you know what you’re looking for. Gather authentically creative people for your team. Don’t use computers, they are isolating for humans and can only copy algorithms, not be authentic. Never stop being curious about everything.

Actually this is good advice for projects in general. As an artist I follow my impulses to authentically express, interpret, outpour whatever has affected me, such as what is happening in the Middle East right now, and often work on an intuitive level. Quite often I struggle to clearly communicate what my work is about.

Communication is the key to progress. Knowing when to talk and when to shut up and listen is the secret of the masters. I don't think a team should consist of people who share your passion, values and commitment rather people who complement them. This includes people who have polarizing views. This challenges all of us to work outside of our comfort zone and discover new dimensions that exist in between and around our bubble of reality. The more of those dimensions that we unlock, the more possibilities we can create and the deeper we will understand ourselves as a whole. The challenge is letting go of our egos and insecurities and focusing that energy to accomplishing something of value for ourselves and the global community.

Create a Safe Space - To foster authenticity and experimentation people have to feel safe to bring their full authentic selves to work. - People need to feel that they are safe to make mistakes or for their experiments to fail otherwise they’ll stick to what’s tried and true

One of the simplest ways I've found to engage a team is by asking, "What do you think?" and backing it up with "I value your perspective". It works every time on two levels: 1. the team member puts aside their inhibitions and is free to offer creative, problem-solving ideas which bolsters their confidence and, 2. It lets the rest of the team know that you are operating a wholly inclusive and safe space which improves team confidence as well as effective communication and collaboration. It's so important to lead through engagement, not through delegation.

On a real world level, people in the arts like projects and after parties to chat about projects. For authentic creatives it’s their only social life. So format your business or project around that. They’re always enthusiastic for the after party, even if they act cynical. Add a little jadedness to keep it spicy. (I didn’t know jadedness was a word until spell check.)

If you have managed to follow the first step brilliantly, this ought to be easy. Engaging others in your vision is truly the key to a successful project.

I voyaged outside the United States in 2018, not to escape the political tension consuming our collective psyche, but to explore my voice without the confines of a single nation's influence. Since then, I've visited five continents on extended stays, uncovered secret mythological sites, and discussed philosophy with both children and aged hermit monks. These global encounters have enriched my wisdom and inspired me to improve. By opening ourselves to learning and contributing, we grow and unveil realms of reality that are unattainable in isolated thought. A chest of pearls for the imagination.

Get geeky on art history! Why an artwork related to yours is created, recycled and destroyed. It shows you why you do what you do. Keep an open mind and use lateral thinking. Sometimes it shows you why to change what you do.

Even when you know where you're going, as long as you can afford to - get lost. Nowadays, setbacks don't equate to failure for me; they signal more exploration is needed. That I haven't reached my full expressive potential. At the age of 14, I tried out for the snare line in our drum corps. Three years of getting cut before I made it. The first two attempts, I was "reduced" to playing cymbals. The third, orchestra pit. While playing cymbals, I was bitter because I "failed". At a certain point, I dropped that feeling and just focused on playing those plates. They became intriguing to me. I saw a hidden art. By the end of that year, I not only mastered the instrument, I was awarded the most outstanding percussionist award... a cymbal player.

Work on other peoples’ projects. Put your skills in the real world working hands on in a team. It helps your brain with structure for your own projects. It also gets you more exposure to get gigs. In the arts it’s who you know and knows you.

I'm going to share what I believe is the meaning of life. Ready? "Figure it out yourself." We consume data, feeding our interpretation machines, creating models of how we see life. Show me your view. This is ART; you might make me laugh, bore or excite me, make me reflect, or find myself at my soul's foundation, ready to rediscover and start anew. Show me something I didn't know about life. Show me through you. We are mirrors kissing on a near invisible plane. We are here to feel and propel humanity into infinity, even if our role is just a heartbeat in its colorful life. I think this perspective, at least for me, invites a focused and honest creative voice while allowing room to step back and evaluate the execution of one's intentions.

Getting outside feedback, meaning outside of your team, is invaluable for going forward. Being open and willing to hear how a project lands for others from diverse backgrounds makes all the difference.

It is abundantly clear we're on the cusp of a creative renaissance. Modern tools, both tangible and digital, let us express in ways our ancestors would deem as magical. This shift demands continuous refinement of our artistic vision. To evolve our authenticity, we must embrace collaboration, turning competition into collective growth. We must shed biases, recognizing adversarial thought doesn't mean enmity. Through challenges, we elevate the artistic realm. My personal philosophy is anchored in two words that drive me to wake up in joy as I create. I'll refrain from sharing them in this moment. I believe I need more time to explore before they are to float in the public domain. Just know, they are spurring an evolution in every endeavor.

Refine your personal look, clothes, hair, makeup, perfume, cologne etc. Get social and etiquette lessons. Dress snappy and go to every after party you have time for. Even for the opening of an envelope. At the upper levels hang out with the wives, domestic partners. Don’t sell, just be sociable you. If they like hanging out with you, you get invited to their partners’ after parties and their homes.

Autonomy and trust are key in building a positive, hardworking team in the arts! Arts professionals are unique in that they must balance artistic and administrative endeavors. By trusting and allowing us to take a proper and run with it encourages exploration, confidence and resourcefulness.

Have fun. Be fun. Live well. Learn a lot. Who am I? You already know who you are so don't fool yourself by asking a question that answers itself everyday you experience life. What defines a successful business? A business that is both ethical and profitable but profitable because it is ethical. What's the best way to silence the noisy mind? Learn everything you can. When you fill your mind with information and experience it has a lot less time to create destructive narratives that will only set you back in life. If that happens then become a student of that narrative so you can put it to rest once you've climbed out of its hole. I wish the best for everyone who has the best intentions for their fellow humans and acts on them. :)

Being willing to recreate yourself, dismantle blocks whenever you discover one. Be open to advice and be brave enough to implement necessary changes.