How to make the world a better place with creativity: a step-by-step guide
Miscellaneous / / November 11, 2021
To do good, it is enough to determine your strengths and give free rein to your imagination. We tell you how to unleash your potential and at the same time implement a socially useful project.
1. Find out where you are talented
Even if it seems that there are no special skills, most likely it is not. It can be quite difficult to objectively assess your merits, but almost every person has creative abilities. It is only important to find them and develop them correctly.
Think about the activities that give you pleasure and lift your spirits. Do not take into account other people's opinions and discard stereotypes that certain activities are not suitable for you in terms of age or status. Listen only to your inner voice. If you feel that some creative endeavors come easy and bring joy, it is likely that talent is the source of positive emotions.
You may not be able to find the answer quickly, but don't despair. Think about what successes you are often praised or singled out by others. Pay special attention to phrases like "Thanks to you, everything worked out!" and "You are doing great!" - such comments mark a positive result of your work. People often think that their own achievements in a certain area are insignificant or ridiculous, but in fact it is they that often reflect the unique abilities of a person.
Finally, remember what educators or professionals in a particular field advised to focus on. The opinion of experienced mentors is very valuable, because they can immediately notice the talent.
2. Find your main ability
Once you've compiled a list of potential talents, try to figure out where you will not only be able to reach your potential, but also bring tangible benefits to those around you. Otherwise, there is a chance to distribute forces incorrectly and fail to cope with responsibility.
Implementation of socially significant projects takes a long time and requires extraordinary zeal on the part of the organizer. To keep the fire in your eyes from going out halfway through, figure out what activities are truly energizing and not boring in the long run. For example, visit events or sign up for sections related to your hobbies. So you will plunge into the right atmosphere and understand where you feel most comfortable. Also, don't forget about networking. Make contact with like-minded people - in the future they will be able to take part in your project.
3. Think about how to put talent into practice
Once you've decided on your element, try to understand how your hobbies can benefit the world. Creativity is an ideal platform for the implementation of socially significant initiatives. Beginnings in the field of art, culture and creative industries can not only inspire or simply delight viewers, but also make them think about how to change the world around for the better.
Love to paint - it would be great to organize a thematic exhibition of paintings that draws the public's attention to any pressing social issue. Get a drive from directing - open an inclusive theater for children with disabilities so that children can perform on stage and develop acting skills.
Remember that the point of such an activity is not to implement a tick-box initiative. Its task is to give participants the opportunity to feel something new or to rethink their values. Abstract aspirations like “increasing the patriotism of the nation” or “improving society” are unlikely to impress anyone.
The goal should be specific, measurable and achievable. For example, you can open an inclusive educational circle, develop a mobile application for selecting books for children and teenagers, or even host an entire festival of folk art. It is important to decide in advance how exactly you are going to implement your idea, and determine the indicators that can confirm that the desired result has been achieved.
4. Prepare a visual and compelling presentation
The ability to correctly present your thoughts and ideas is a key component of success. It is necessary to clearly define the relevance and social significance of the project, otherwise it will remain only on paper. What is the meaning and creative value of your idea? What target audience is the initiative aimed at and why was this particular group selected? How and with whom do you plan to achieve the stated goal and how many people are expected to take part in the project? The presentation should contain detailed and intelligible answers to such questions. And instead of general words and lengthy phrases, add more specifics and details.
Before starting a project, define its features. For example, you can conduct a survey that will show what the region lacks and what the target group needs. Support the collected data with authoritative statistics, provide relevant quotes from influencers, and present the results of the analysis in the presentation.
Explain why your idea is unique. So, if no one has ever done anything like this before you, it is the originality of the initiative that can become its main feature. And the idea will also be highlighted by the introduction of new technologies or techniques, a mixture of styles and trends, or the use of a fresh interpretation of well-known works of literature and art.
5. Offer your project to potential investors
There is a golden rule: if you don't ask, they won't give you. It will help to bring what you have begun to the end by reaching out to people or organizations that can finance your idea. For example, grants for the implementation of socially useful programs are issued by state funds, so it is worth keeping an eye on the collection of applications for participation in special competitions and keep your presentation ready.
Sponsors can also be commercial enterprises or celebrities who share the values of your project. For such investors, the support of an initiative that is important for society will allow them to conduct a vivid PR campaign and increase the loyalty of the target audience. Do not hesitate to talk about your project on social networks and on crowdfunding sites, because you collect funds for a good cause and bring benefits to all parties.
Project budgeting needs to be approached very carefully. Remember that the expenses must strictly correspond to the content of the plan and be justified. For example, you cannot spend money on personal needs that are not related to the implementation of the idea. Inappropriate use of funds can seriously damage your reputation and ruin even the best initiative.
Carry out all the necessary calculations in advance to minimize suspicious wording like "other expenses" and come to a potential investor with a verified estimate. This careful approach can increase your chances of success.
The Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives will enable the implementation of a socially useful initiative in the field of art and creative industries. Until January 20, 2022, you can apply for participation in a grant competition, the total budget of which is about 4 billion rubles. In 2021, almost 1,500 projects from 79 regions of Russia have already received support.
Startups in the field of modern popular culture, literature and publishing, design, fashion, art, music and sound design, architecture and urbanism, new media, multimedia technologies, cinema, theater, games, creation and development of infrastructure for creative industries. Applications must correspond to one of eight thematic areas: "Nation of Creators", "Great Russian word "," I am proud "," Place of power "," Cultural code "," Young leaders "," History of the country: history of overcoming and victories. Milestones ”,“ Multinational People ”. Non-governmental non-governmental organizations, commercial and municipal organizations, as well as individual entrepreneurs can participate in the competition.