Could Be Pretty Cool News

Description: Explore the unprecedented shifts in US arts funding and what they mean for creative communities nationwide. Featuring John Carnwath from WolfBrown research and consulting firm on navigating federal cuts, building sustainable funding models, and reimagining how creative ecosystems can thrive through decentralized support systems and community-centered approaches.

Key Topics:

• Federal cuts to NEA, NEH, and IMLS and thei...

Explore how creative entrepreneurs are building sustainable futures through circular systems that honor both ancestral wisdom and innovative solutions. Featuring Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail on bridging Lakota values with renewable energy technology, and Jonelle Dawkins on creating financial independence through creative reuse.

• Traditional ecological knowledge meeting modern sustainability solutions
• Creative reuse as...

In this inaugural episode of The Young Creator Electorate, host Sabbath Canady explores one of the most pressing questions facing young creators today: what does the rise of artificial intelligence mean for the future of human creativity?

Theatre artist and recent college graduate Nicholas Gilomen takes center stage with a powerful monologue that captures the complex relationship between AI technology and working artists. Speaking d...

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Explore how creative entrepreneurs are navigating industry transitions and building sustainable futures through two distinct perspectives. Featuring Dani Dufresne on reshaping creative production with a fractional model beyond traditional agency structures, followed by Kacie Luaders' thoughtful examination of Georgia's creative ecosystem highlighting the stark contrast between struggling nonprofit arts organizations and ...

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Explore how passionate educators are building innovative frameworks for creative education across the Southeast through two unique perspectives. Featuring Derek "Prez" Jackson on establishing a collegiate model for music entrepreneurship that treats creative development with the same seriousness as athletics, and Montgomery Davis on creating more inclusive, consent-driven spaces in performing arts training. Together, th...

Description: Explore how creative community building and strategic marketing are reshaping Georgia's independent creator landscape. Featuring Bill Worley and Mike Brown discussing the transformative power of The Artist's Way groups, and Jazz Jackson sharing insights on navigating industry shifts through innovative marketing approaches.

Key Topics:

• Building supportive communities through The Artist's Way facilitation
• Transforming c...

Description: Explore how Tennessee's creative entrepreneurs are navigating industry transitions and building sustainable futures through two unique perspectives. Featuring DeMarcus Akeem Suggs on reimagining Memphis's creative economy through innovative government support, and Nashville indie folk-rock artist Purser on forging an independent path while developing collaborative relationships in a changing music landscape.

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Description: Join us for a special anniversary episode as we explore the art and science of brand storytelling through our own rebrand journey. Featuring the talented team from Brandsavor Media and Marketing who helped articulate our mission as an audio-first think tank, and web designer Sasha Revolus who translated our vision into a compelling digital presence. Discover how effective branding can authentically communicate your pur...

Description: Explore how Georgia's creative entrepreneurs are navigating industry transitions and building sustainable futures through two unique perspectives. Featuring Darius Evans on reshaping Georgia's film landscape beyond the "Hollywood of the South" narrative, and muralist Elaine Stephenson on forging an independent artistic path while creating community support systems.

Key Topics:

·       Evolving from service industry to au...

Description: Explore how data and creativity intersect to empower communities and creators through two unique perspectives. Featuring demography expert Professor Ness Sándoval on making data accessible for community advocacy, and scientist-turned-entrepreneur Zakiya Whatley on transforming analytical skills into creative storytelling tools.

Key Topics: 

· Making demographic data accessible to communities

 · Using data to validate crea...

Description: Explore the evolving relationship between independent creators and major media companies through the contrasting journeys of podcasting and animation. Featuring podcast pioneer Rob Greenlee on the medium's shift from indie roots to mainstream influence, and 2D animator Jaron Johnson on finding opportunities beyond traditional studio systems.

Key Topics: 

·      The evolution of podcasting from independent to mainstre...

Description: Dive into how modern creatives are building sustainable careers across physical and digital spaces. Featuring The Bardo founder Luther Ocasio on creating immersive community experiences, and multihyphenate artist Charis Sellick on transforming traditional theater skills into digital success.

Key Topics:

· Navigating both physical and digital creative spaces

· Building authentic community experiences

· Adapting tradi...

Description: Season 2 premiere! Explore how creative entrepreneurs are building sustainable careers in today's rapidly evolving digital landscape. Featuring JV Agency founder Jazmine Valencia on growing a music marketing agency from internship to industry leader, and independent artist Lánre on strategically balancing creativity with business acumen.

Key Topics:

·       Building sustainable creative businesses in the digital age

·...

Join us for the season finale of Could Be Pretty Cool News as we explore two distinct perspectives on creative careers. Dr. Steven Sparling shares insights from his journey from professional performer to researcher, studying how artists balance multiple income streams in today's economy. Then, dancer and choreographer Annalee Traylor discusses her evolution from traditional company work to collaborative dance theater.

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In this episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News, we explore two distinct creative journeys. First, we meet Asia Kuykendall, a finance expert whose personal transformation led her to develop "quantum wealth theory" - an approach that helps artists redefine their relationship with money through mindset and vision-setting. She shares how creators can align their financial goals with their artistic aspirations, challenging traditional nar...

In this episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News, we first meet Vanessa Kuhlor, a Brooklyn-based creative who transformed her experience with Silicon Valley Bank's collapse into an opportunity to reimagine work through her creative consultancy, In Between Dreams. Drawing inspiration from sources as diverse as birdwatching to African textiles, Vanessa shares her journey of building a creative practice centered on "ease and leisure." Our...

In this spooky edition of Could Be Pretty Cool News we interview Ben Armstrong, co-owner of Netherworld Haunted House, now in its 28th year of operation. Ben shares the origins of Netherworld, discussing how it evolved from charity events to a major attraction known nationally and internationally. He explains the creative process behind developing new themes each year, the logistics of running a seasonal business, and the community...

In this special episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News, we take you inside DreamHack Atlanta 2024, a pivotal event in the gaming world. We explore how this festival unites diverse elements of gaming culture, from esports to indie developers, cosplayers to robotics enthusiasts. Featuring an exclusive interview with Guy Blomberg, Event Director of DreamHack Festivals in North America, we also spotlight three unique creator stories: Dar...

This episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News juxtaposes macro and micro views of the creative industries. Shira Gans from NYC's Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment unveils how data shapes policies supporting various creative sectors, unpacking economic impact studies, program evaluations, and the nuanced challenge of quantifying arts initiatives' tangible and intangible impacts. We then pivot to Mykal Alder June, an Atlanta-base...