The Creative Shift: Building Communities and Embracing New Educational Settings with Kirsty Hunter | Episode 17

The Bouncebackability Podcast

In today's episode, we are joined by former BRIT School Deputy Head - turned Entrepreneur and Founder of The Creativity Clinic, Kirsty Hunter. Kirsty’s mission is huge – to destroy social and financial barriers to the arts and education, and to disrupt co-working and leisure spaces through the integration of the arts. Her aim is to provide a much-needed resource whilst creating meaningful and inclusive communities that offer an inter-generational approach to work, leisure and play.

Kirsty is currently on the journey to raise investment for her venture and in September 2022 she launched the outpatient’s arm of The Creativity Clinic; a firm designed to support educationalists, artists and corporates with creative approaches to strategic advantage, operations management, innovation and entrepreneurship through inclusive cultures and community led approaches.

Our interview delves deep into the roots of Kirsty’s career with some of the world’s most recognised creative organisations, including her formative years at The BRIT School that have shaped her ideas around community, resilience, and the desire for a new approach to leisure and culture for all generations - including her innovative concept, the ‘15-min neighbourhoods’.

In this episode:

08:46 Why passion and connections are crucial, especially for students in the performing arts.

18:33 The Brit School ethos – why it’s a success and how the environment shapes its students.

22:01 Embracing tech and new ways of learning – how phone use in school can work with foundations of respect and responsibility.

27:10 Kirsty’s focus on community work, talent sharing, and its emotional impact on students.

46:48 The importance of social connections on mental health and performance.

54:42 Focus on community and connectivity – how social responsibility and coworking spaces are bridging the gap.

01:00:10 Kirsty’s response to the demand for creative niche experiences despite funding challenges.
Connect with Kirsty here:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecreativityclinicuk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstyhunterthecreativityclinic/

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/