ONLINE PORTFOLIOS FOR PERFORMERS, ARTISTS & DESIGNERS VIEWED BY EMPLOYERS & HIGHER EDUCATION

However, it is much more than simply a portfolio-hosting hub for those who live for creativity.

While there are numerous websites already available that allow users to upload videos, audio files and images there are very few that use their medium as a means of connecting individuals and enabling collaboration.

• Create your online portfolio It’s really easy to sign and it’s free!
• Receive and share creative comments.
• Get found and get your talent in front of the people and places that matter.
• Connect and collaborate to open doors to opportunities you’ve previously only ever dreamt about.
• Enjoy our online Gallery Showcase for individual exhibition and productions, its free.
• Link to your social media, websites and blogs.

Simply set up your profile for your organisation for free, promote your visibility. In return all we ask is that you offer to share your experience, offer guidance if appropriate and opportunities to our creatives by posting and career tips either on our home page creative conversations feed.

Or you can engage with our creatives on their individual portfolio comment and feedback boxes. Perhaps you could tell your stories or offer helpful online portfolio surgeries, job opportunities, internships ,placements, auditions, competitions, sponsorship, start up business advice, learning programmes and courses. Its free to sign up, if you would like to support our creatives with a donation thank you for your support as we reinvest back into improving our services and supporting emerging and existing creatives.

• Subscribe to and search our creative talent pool.
• Create your own dedicated self administered company portfolio page.
• Unlimited adverts as part of your subscription, recruit, connect your products and services.
• Up to three adverts can be live at any one time.
• Link to your social media, website and blog.

Question.....What was the inspiration behind Creative Portal ?

Having spent forty years, (hardly believable four decades) as a arts teacher and in leadership roles in both FE and HE, I carry a passion flag for aspiring talent. The creative communities are hugely unselfish and,have the capacity to share; perhaps that fuelled my ambition to give something back through Creative Portal. My ambition has been to send out a practical message which encourages careers in the visual and expressive arts. Also to highlight the fantastic opportunities to collaborate. There has also been an element of a challenge to see if creating Creative Portal was possible, against all the funding and technical unknowns. Creative Portal is a personal and family gift, entirely personally funded.

Socially and politically I strongly believe  that the arts bring huge benefits to our society and all of our well being. Why is the platform free... well it's a real wish for inclusivity. Creativity and talent is everywhere, in everybody opportunity is not. I hope Creative Portal can play a part in making it possible. Creative Portal is not a finished product, it is a work in progress. Our users are invited to help us shape the platforms future at every step of what is a journey.

People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it, and what you do simply proves what you believe.  Simon Sinek

Question.....Where do you see the project in 5 years?

When momentum builds and the user group grows, then with income from donations, advertising and sponsorship will offer grants. Creative Portal will be in a position to become a significant future provider of grants to support a diverse range of projects for individuals, start ups and community arts projects. I ideally want to observe an invest to reinvest culture. Young creatives can invest by simply using the platform services and spreading the word which is free financially. In time the hope is they will support Creative Portal as a value project that has previously benefitted them.

Question...What's your link to the arts?

My background started with links to the circus world. Not brilliant school-days in fact it all felt distanced apart from an inspirational art teacher and the refuge of the art room? School ended without formal qualifications and an early exit to work in the theatre, then onto study as a fine artist exhibiting sculpture and socio targeted performance art. Had some amazing tutors in Stuart Brisley, Steve Willet's and Victor Burgin. Later I returned to the theatre design and, my own artwork.

Question...How have the arts had an impact on your life?

It's who I am, how I am, colouring my social, political and spiritual beliefs. Creativity governs my thinking and life view. I am certainly a cup half full....in fact I want to know the teasing question as to who's got the missing half of the cup!

Question....How do you see the arts impacting the lives of those around you?

The impact of cultural exchange is enormous and can be life changing. It is a sadness that politicians fail to recognise the powerful impact of the arts. ?……….?

Question...How do you see the future of the arts, if projects like this don't have an input?

Deeply concerned about arts education in an increasingly imbalanced curriculum in schools. The systemic failure to recognise the importance of creative thinking when applied to all professions. The arts can have a great synergy with the stem subjects even improve the well documented need to deliver greater success and engagement in core stem skills.

Imagine the importance of the arts, visualise the result if you took it away, as if by magic everything from our lives that creatives have augmented, apart from divinity, then we would all be naked.

The arts are both magical and fun, helping us to shape our world. My concern is that the current shrinking of arts in the curriculum is not only damaging to our young people's development, but raises the question of who will be attending galleries and museums in the future. A very sad prospect.

Question....What would be your best piece of advice to young creatives who are just starting their journey?

Live your vision, share your vision, after all creativity is "contagious", so, be spurred on by believing the value of the creative industries to our economy and, be confident in your own abilities to be part of that. See the potential in others and opportunities for collaboration. Above all, enjoy a lifetime of discovery.

Hold onto the belief that the visual and expressive arts can be used to address the issues that plague modern societies...have utopian thoughts.

Question….Whats next?  The National Youth Gallery

We are currently engaged in a new project to create The National Youth Gallery. The new project is fuelled through our belief that every young person should have a rich cultural education and, as the UN Convention states, "Every child has the right to engage in creative and cultural activity". Our ambition for Creative Portal and The National Youth Gallery can contribute to aims that many share. Let's collaborate and drive forward together!

Mike Cobb-Pernack
Creative Director