New research reports on preparing students of creative industries for future work

New research released this week by the Australia Council for the Arts and Queensland University of Technology examines the benefits of industry and community based learning for students in creative degrees.

Providing timely insights into how we can better prepare our future creative professionals to be key contributors to 21st century industries and workplaces, Creativity at Work demonstrates how interdisciplinary learning in community and industry settings can deliver benefits for both students and industry.

The report examines a pilot program run by the QUT School of Creative Practice that placed final year Bachelor of Fine Arts students into industry and community settings.

The pilot program aimed to equip students to apply their creative skills across different professional situations and to work collaboratively with people from diverse areas of expertise.

Advising that the report highlights the need for new approaches to preparing the creative professionals of the future, Australia Council Chief Executive, Adrian Colette stated “we know that creative practitioners are increasingly working and applying creative skills beyond the creative sector, and that creative thinking is increasingly in demand across the economy.

“This research provides timely insights into how we can better prepare our future creative professionals to play a key role in 21st century workplaces. It also underscores the value creative professionals have to offer to industry, particularly as businesses work to adapt and respond to disruption.”

Creativity at Work adds to the Australia Council’s growing body of research on the value and role of creativity in education and a diverse range of other industries, and the importance of creative skills for the future of work.

Key findings: 

• The Situated Creative Practice pilot developed meaningful partnerships between university and industry, producing strong external advocates for the program. 

• While the development of deep art form knowledge and creative skills remains critical, interdisciplinary work integrated learning provides benefits for both students and industry partners. 

• Students of Situated Creative Practice developed valuable networking and collaboration skills. Industry partners benefitted from the creative skills and fresh ideas brought by students to the workplace.  

• There is a need to better communicate the value of interdisciplinary learning for students of creative industries, both to staff and students.

• Students and staff with recent experience in the creative sector were more likely to value and advocate for the program. This points the relevance of the program to contemporary industry contexts.

Click here to view the full report on the Australia Council website.

Image: Auditions at the National Institute of Circus Arts. Credit: National Institute of Circus Arts.