Adobe is committed to empowering creators with the opportunity to pursue their dreams and share the stories that are shaped by their unique backgrounds. Through the Adobe Creative Residency programme, a collaboration between the Adobe Foundation and the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London, a unique pathway has been co-created to build bridges between a globally revered cultural institution and the next generation of creators focused on community and connection.
Showcasing a Year of Collaborative Creativity
Over the last year, three Adobe Creative Residents have been embedded within the V&A, its collections, and communities, bringing their talents to life through Adobe Creative Residents: On Display—a free exhibition opening this year.
The three residents are Jess Starns (multi-disciplinary artist interested in inclusive design), Ciara Neufeldt (ceramic artist and educator), and Michael Akuagwu (multimedia artist blending photography with surreal approaches).
The display poses important questions: What does creativity look like? How can artists help museums welcome new audiences? And how does art strengthen the connections between us?
Expanding Access to Creative Education and Community Impact
The Creative Residents found answers through deep engagements with the V&A and its collections. Throughout the year, they led workshops, collaborated with young people and schools, and supported programmes designed to welcome new and historically underrepresented audiences into the museum.
"Jess, Ciara, and Michael have inspired audiences and opened new conversations about what creativity can look like," said Simon Morris, VP International Marketing at Adobe. "Through the Adobe Creative Residency programme we're not only supporting talented artists to hone their craft, we're also helping make creativity more accessible to communities that have been historically underserved."
The Adobe Creative Residency is part of the Adobe x Museums programme, which aims to reach ten million young creators and students globally by 2028.
Sources: Adobe Blog – Celebrating Creativity Inspired by Community