This is how Doncaster artists and creatives responded to the government's advice to retrain into a new industry

This October the UK government launched an online campaign centered around urging artists and creatives to retrain.

As well as adverts shared on social media centred around a ballerina named Fatima, and the other industries she might be able to find work in, the government also created a quiz people could take to determine which jobs may suit them if they chose to follow an alternative path.

The ad campaign has since been removed due to an online backlash.

Bipolar Abdul is a drag queen part of the Fluidity group in Doncaster.

She said: “It annoyed me to no end honestly.

“People have studied in top schools to become artists and I think it’s disgusting that they are being told to just get another job.

“I don’t think the government has ever really valued what we do as drag queens.

“But to find out that they don’t even care about highly trained royal ballet performers is incredibly frustrating.”

Bipolar says she was happy to see the government's campaign receive a negative reaction through social media.

She says she particularly enjoyed seeing people point out that many creatives must have been a part of making the ad campaign such as a graphic designer and a photographer.

“It’s nice to see that people value what we do,” she continued.

“But it does make me worry that some creatives will leave the industry because of difficulties that we are now facing.

“And I also hope that this doesn’t put young people off following creative dreams.”

Over the past six months the Fluidity drag group have continued to perform virtually and in small, socially distant venues.

She said: “I’m worried that I won’t ever be able to work in a nightclub again.

“Our shows have been completely different from before we rely on a life standing audience so for that to change to small tables has been a struggle.”

Bipolar says that now more than ever it is important for people to support the arts.

“This Christmas I’m only buying gifts from independents,” she said.

“I refuse to support big chains in any way.

“The biggest gift we can give right now is support.

But it’s not all doom and gloom in the eyes of this Doncaster drag queen who thinks that the tough times the industry is facing is bringing people closer together.

“In times of austerity and social trauma subcultures thrives,” she said.

“I think this will mean that drag is going to get a lot more political in the near future.”

Mike Stubbs is the Creative Director of Doncaster Creates, an art collective which focuses on celebrating creatives in the town.

Recently the Bird Song Project run by Mike has seen murals painted in the town centre, new radio shows produced in Conisbrough and a collaboration between refugees and a carematics sculptor.

As someone who is heavily involved in the art community Mike says that he was shocked by the government's ad campaign.

He said: “Initially I was deeply insulted.

“Art transformed my life and it has led to me becoming an international curator, film director and a practising artist.”

Mike says that art provided him a different lifestyle from the one he felt he was destined for.

“I failed at school and didn’t get very good grades,” he continued.

“Growing up I thought my only options were mechanics or the army.

“I scraped through the system enough to get on a foundation art course and it changed my life.

“Living on a council estate I didn’t know that it was alright to be an artist.”

Mike fears that the government's ad campaign may lead young people to exclude creative choices from their future.

He has seen artist colleagues and friends become redundant over the six months and feels this may also lead teens away from the industry.

He said: “If we don’t let young people explore and be curious then we will end up with a society full of button pushing factory workers.

“If the government decides to pick on artists and undo the work they are doing then children are less likely to take the risk to become one.”

Mike says that the effect of the government's campaign may be felt more directly in towns like Doncaster as there is not the widespread art scene that is present in larger cities.

He said: “Doncaster is only starting its cultural renaissance so the timing of the campaign is not great for us.

“Places like London, Leeds, Sheffield and Liverpool can afford to take a hit because they’re already established.

“But Doncaster is a fledgling in the national art community and this could really hurt us.”

Despite this Mike believes that there may be some positive side effects hidden amongst the negativity.

He says that it may force people to recognise what artists contribute if it is not a topic they had considered before.

Mike also agrees with Bipolar Abdul as he says it has been refreshing to see people come out in support of artists and disagree that they should have to change careers.

In the future Mike hopes that jobs such as painters, sculptures, dancers and musicians will be taken more seriously by both the government and the general public.

You can find out more about Fluidity here and Doncaster creates here.

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