Years ago as a student, I won several seriosa (art song) singing competitions at the national and regional levels in both the youth and adult categories, and am a two-time university seriosa champion.

My experience in the creative arts has provided me with a unique perspective on the intersection of art and innovation. I believe that the creative arts is one of our nation’s five competitive advantages and that with the right scalability, it can attract purposeful investments.

In the realm of innovation, the fundamental equation is invention multiplied by commercialization. Both elements must exist for true innovation to occur. In the context of innovation in the creative industry, invention represents the arts, creativity and mastery at their best.

However, mastery alone does not constitute innovation. For innovation to be realized, commercialization must take place. This balance ensures that artistic depth is matched with effective market strategies, allowing art to reach its full potential, both creatively and commercially.

This dual-track principle ensures that both aspects develop in parallel, respecting the unique timeline and requirement of each process. Balancing artistic depth with commercialization involves nurturing the artistic process while also planning commercial strategies.

This requires respecting the time needed for artistic growth, allowing artists to develop their craft without the pressure of immediate commercial success. At the same time, planning commercial strategies in parallel ensures that once the art is ready, there is a clear path to the market.