As the CEO of Australia’s home of youth arts, Carclew, I spend my days thinking about the impact of children and young people engaging with art and creativity. Not because I want to see art displayed on a fridge (I do) or watch children perform onstage (also, I do), but because we know art makes lives infinitely richer – and that is truer for children than anyone. It’s good for their brain, and I have the data to back it up.

But it’s not just good for children’s brains; it’s one of the most important skills they can develop as they navigate an increasingly complex world. The World Economic Forum’s ‘Future of Jobs Report 2023’ stated that analytical and creative thinking are the most important skills for future workers. But the question is: Are we building the right skills and capacity in young people to harness those most important skills?

Creativity is the backbone of innovation and change, and young people are uniquely positioned to drive that change. They are digital natives, deeply connected to global issues through technology and social networks. They are also less constrained by the traditional boundaries that often limit older generations. This openness makes them ideal candidates for innovative thinking.

Moreover, the challenges they face – from skyrocketing housing costs to increasingly visible climate impacts – are personal. These are not abstract issues; they are lived realities. This proximity to the problems fuels a sense of urgency and a commitment to finding solutions.

What youngsters need

Alan Kohler from the ABC coined the term ‘forever renters.’ For those of us who grew up in Gen X or before, that is a daunting nickname. So, what can we, the grown-ups, the homeowners and the full-time workers, do to support young people in facing these complex challenges? The answer is simple: we ask them.

Carclew recently partnered with the Adelaide Festival to form a Youth Ambassador group of 26 young people between the ages of 12 and 26. We met with the Ambassadors regularly over the year to explore ‘uncertain futures,’ a concept decided on by the Ambassadors and derived from a survey of young people based on the Mission Australia Youth Survey 2024.

Carclew’s contribution is to create an environment where we listen, invest, connect and get out of the way. Young people don’t need further evidence that their future looks different than ours. They certainly don’t need us to outline all the challenges that lie ahead.

They need us to nurture and invest in their creative minds and allow them to imagine what their future might be in this new paradigm. That is what art does. What creativity builds.

Art has always been an interpreter, guide and a muse.

But it doesn’t just help imagine answers, it supports young people’s wellbeing while they cope with stressors and challenges unimagined by previous generations.

The Australian Theatre for Young People has consolidated research showing there is a growing body of evidence indicating that arts have powerful health, social and educational benefits – for individuals, communities and our society as a whole. Five things about young people and the arts supported by the literature are:

• Youth arts provides a platform for young people to explore important ideas and boosts civic engagement.

• Arts participation provides socio-emotional benefits for young people that can act as protective factors against mental illness.

• Arts can be used therapeutically or ‘on prescription’ to fight depression, anxiety and PTSD in young people.

• Arts participation is associated with better educational outcomes for students, including stronger academic performance.

• Arts-rich education improves students’ motivation, engagement, attendance and school enjoyment.

Longitudinal studies undertaken by Americans For the Arts record clear and significant written and numeracy improvements when children engage in the arts. In addition, low-income students that are highly engaged in the arts are twice as likely to graduate from college as their peers with no arts education. Three main conclusions from the longitudinal studies were:

• Socially and economically disadvantaged children and teenagers who have high levels of arts engagement or arts learning show more positive outcomes in a variety of areas than their low-arts-engaged peers.

• At-risk teenagers or young adults with a history of intensive arts experiences show achievement levels closer to and in some cases exceeding the levels shown by the general population studied.

• Most of the positive relationships between arts involvement and academic outcomes apply only to at-risk populations (low socio-economic status). But positive relationships between arts and civic engagement are noted in high socio-economic status groups as well.

The housing affordability crisis is a prime example of a complex problem that demands creative solutions. The climate crisis, like housing, requires future leaders who can think creatively across disciplines. It’s not just about cutting emissions; it’s about reimagining how we live, work and interact with our environment. By fostering creativity in young people, we can equip them to tackle these interconnected challenges.

Young creative leaders are already making waves in this space. From Greta Thunberg’s school strike movement inspiring global climate action to grassroots initiatives that merge art with activism, young people are showing how creative approaches can amplify impact. Yet, to move from inspiration to systemic change, these leaders need access to resources, mentorship and platforms to implement their ideas at scale.

Investing in tomorrow’s leaders

Building tomorrow’s young creative leaders requires intentional investment. Here are three key areas where this investment is crucial:

Education and pathways

Our school and career development programs are dedicated to connecting young people to the tools they need to expand their thinking. And, once expanded, connect them to the possibilities around them.

Funding and investment

We must invest in our young creative leaders. Currently, 30 percent of Carclew’s expenditure goes out the door in funding for youth arts organizations and artists working with children and young people. Our youngest grantee, a 12-year-old filmmaker, has gone on to win international filmmaking awards at the age of 14.

Pathways and connections

Giving access to decision-makers and consultative processes, supported by artists and creative practitioners skilled in working with children, can change the trajectory of young lives. We can bring every young person closer to their dream just by taking the time to listen and connect.

Time to act

Creativity has long been identified as an important leadership skill in adults. But it doesn’t happen by accident. By investing in young people and equipping them with the tools to nurture their creativity, we can unlock solutions that are innovative, inclusive and sustainable.

The time to act is now. As the crises of today shape the world of tomorrow, the leaders we cultivate today will determine our collective future. Let’s make sure they have the creativity to meet the moment. After all, the future is already here… it’s just very young.

Opinions expressed by The CEO Magazine contributors are their own.