Art Start Creatives,

Every artist’s journey begins with a simple but vital question: Who am I becoming as an artist? Whether you’re just starting to explore your interests or you're preparing for professional opportunities, building your artistic identity is foundational.

Start With What Moves You... Think about the artists, styles, and stories that make you pause, feel, or think deeply. Your creative identity grows from what inspires you—music, history, culture, technologies, lived experiences, and the communities you belong to.

Name Your Artistic Strengths! Are you a storyteller? A builder? A movement-maker? A visual thinker? Identify what comes naturally—this helps guide academic choices, portfolio projects, and career exploration.

Stay Curious! Try new techniques, genres, and mediums. Creative identity grows with experimentation. Be open to discovering unexpected strengths.

Reflect Regularly. Keep a journal or voice notes where you track ideas, influences, questions, and goals. Reflection builds self-awareness and confidence.

Remember Your identity is not fixed, it's ever-evolving. Give yourself permission to grow, adapt, and explore.

NEW YORK CITY - RSVP for December Programming

Week of 12/8 Open Hours: Mon, Tues - 12-6pm
Week of 12/15 Open Hours: Mon, Tues, Thur - 2-6pm
Week of 12/22 Open Hours: Mon, Tues - 2-6pm / Wed- Fri CLOSED
Week of 12/29 Open Hours - CLOSED

MILWAUKEE - RSVP FOR DECEMBER PROGRAMMING

Wed, 12/10/25, 4:30-7pm, Creative Session - Metal Embossing with Cat Pond

Week of 12/8 Open Hours: Mon, 3-7pm / Tue, 12:30-4:30pm / Thu, 3-7pm
Week of 12/15 Open Hours: Mon, 3-7pm / Tue, 12:30-4:30pm / Thu, 3-7pm
Week of 12/22 Open Hours: Mon, 3-7pm / Tues - Fri: CLOSED
Week of 12/29 Open Hours - CLOSED

Upcoming Campus Visit - University of WI-Milwaukee: Peck School of Arts, Monday, 1/26, 12:30pm-2pm

Your post-secondary journey can take many forms. Why not explore them all?

> Conservatories: Intense, specialized training.
> Universities: Combine arts training with academics.
> Community Colleges: Affordable and flexible; great for transfer.
> Apprenticeships: Learn by doing with working artists.
> Certificates & Bootcamps: Short-term, skills-based training.

Make a list of what matters most to you—location, cost, environment, program style—and match programs to your needs. Not sure about your next steps?

• Learn about Art Start's Creative Career Prep here.
• Sign up for our next College Campus tour by Clicking the RSVP for your City, above.
• Make an appointment with our Academic Advisor to explore college pathways HERE
• Make an appointment with our Social Worker (NYC | MKE) to explore life planning and goal setting

MEET COURTNEY!

Courtney is a member of Art Start’s new Creative Industries Pre-Employment Certificate program, where she’s strengthening her drawing practice, learning what it takes to work as a full-time artist, and preparing for the transition from college to the workforce.

She is a Junior at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, studying Illustration. Courtney is preparing for a career in scientific illustration and museum curation while also currently illustrating a children’s book and contributing to a project for NASA online.

Most of us feel it when we've gotten burned out or stressed out. Let's talk about small ways to cultivate well-being over time, making us more aware of imbalances as they happen so we can feel well, more often.

December Tip for Young Creatives: Establish Creative Boundaries

For young artists balancing school, work, and their creative passion, one vital well-being tip is to establish and protect clear boundaries for their artistic time. Your art should remain a source of joy and stress relief, not just another item on a crowded to-do list:

> Schedule "Joy Rituals": Just as you schedule classes or work shifts, schedule dedicated time for creative work that is purely for enjoyment, not for a grade or a client. Even 15 minutes can make a difference. The goal is to connect with the process, not the product!

>Create a Physical/Mental Separation: When you're working on art for school, a program or a paid gig, be sure to have a clear "cut-off" time or a physical space you can leave, like closing your computer or tidying up your supplies. This signals to your brain that work time is over and personal time has begun.

>Practice Self-Compassion: The pressure for perfection can be intense. Reframe negative thoughts. Instead of saying, "My work isn't good enough," try, "I showed up today and did the best I could, and that's enough." Remember that art should reduce stress, not create it.

>Connect with Others: Be mindful if you tend to shut down when overwhelmed. Instead, try seeking out other young artists, just like those at Art Start, to share struggles, celebrate small wins, and remind yourself you're not alone.

Need to talk? NYC artists, make an appointment with Joelle. Milwaukee artists, make an appointment with Hope.

THE ART DIRECTOR

What does an Art Director do? An Art Director for a major brand is responsible for shaping how the brand looks, feels, and communicates visually across all platforms. They combine creative vision with strategic leadership to ensure every visual touchpoint tells a consistent, compelling brand story. The Art Director guides the design and production of marketing campaigns, oversees creative teams, approves final assets, directs photo and video shoots, and collaborates with marketing, product, and communications teams to make sure every visual element—from social media posts to packaging—reflects the brand’s style and resonates with its audience.

Meet an Art Director on January 21st, learn about the role, and ask your questions! Art Start Board Member and long-time industry collaborator, Cathie Urushibata, is the Art Director for the international restaurant chain, Shake Shack. Founded in 2004 in New York City as a hot dog stand in Madison Square Park, it has since expanded nationally and internationally! Learn more about her experience in the role of Art Director and ask her all your questions, including all about her pathway from artist/creative, to college student, to Art Director!

RSVP for the Virtual Career Talk with Cathie, January 21, 2026: MKE / NYC

GET IN TOUCH!

We want to see you, hear from you, know about you! Reach out to us. We're here.

Make a plan or get support during a challenging time: NYC | MKE
Explore one of Art Start's commitment-based career programs in NYC | MKE
Thinking about college, or already in college and need a space to get support? Reach Out Here

DM us on Instagram to just say hello!

Thank you for continuing to be part of the Art Start Community of Creatives. We're wishing you a meaningful season of gratitude and reflection!

In Community,
The Art Start Team

Copyright © 2025 Art Start, All rights reserved.
526 W 26th Street, Suite 10A, New York, NY 10001
316 N Milwaukee Street, Suite 280, Milwaukee, WI 53202
(NYC) 212-460-0019 | (MKE) 414-433-3013| art-start.org | @artstartorg