Foundation Principles — The Declaration of Creative Independence and the Code of a Creative Artist

by NDK Creative Artist

Allforart, the Free Articulator and other companies and entities in the Allforart Network and all who work in that network hold as vital and important the founding documents that govern what we do and how we operate. These founding documents are:

• The Code of a Creative Artist
• The Creative Artists’ Declaration of Creative Independence

…and those applicable principles and concepts stated in A Creative Artist Enhances Society which will be a free download to Free Articulator subscribers and discounted to subscribers when it is published in hard copy.

But why do we need these things? Because the industry of creativity has not been recognized as a valid and legitimate profession. Those individuals who have elected to be creative people in art & entertainment have not had their commitment recognized as a professional role in society and civilization. When I began researching the art & entertainment industry this was one of the first things I discovered. In civilized cultures the creation and adoption of codes of ethics are the means by which a society recognizes, appreciates and declares a profession. Following this realization, many years of research and consideration when into the development of a these principles. It was first published on the internet in 1996 under the title of Code for a Better World Artist, and recognized as an historical document by one of the first internet museums that same year.

Some artists are going to rail against the very idea of a code to do with creativity, they mistakenly believe that such a code limits creativity. Actually, it enables creativity in the truest sense of the word. That’s why they will remain artists, and never become Creative Artists. Creative Artists operate according to a code, and while there is quite a bit to say about each point of that code, I will leave that to another time and perhaps other places, though I’ll be happy to answer any questions posed. A code is necessary to rein in the dark side of creativity that is a destructive force in society, bound by no more than a desire for fame, fortune and power over others. Creative Artists know better.

The Code of a Creative Artist arose from personal experience in every field of the arts where hard lessons where learned, it has come from years of study and consideration of the experience of others in every part and facet of the industry of art & entertainment and from a vast amount of consideration and testing of the resultant principles. This code is not a frivolous document lacking in merit or character and, as with the Declaration of Creative Indepence, it was not writ by my hand alone, it was writ by all creative individuals who have been involved in this industry of art & entertainment.

I have listened, I have read, and I have considered at great length what has been said by all who have an interest in this industry and here, at the Free Articulator, you will hear of them, and through other entities created to help resolve these things that were discovered or to bring them about and prevent them in the future, you will find some tools to help you address and understand those issues, and start to bring about some meaningful and useful reform that sets an example for the future.

To all those who have ever told their story, thank you, for trusting me with it, and to those who recorded the stories of others and published them, thank you for having the courage to do so, to ask the hard questions and tell the truth. The pay off for such character is not always immediate, as much must be considered and evaluated, but it will, in the end bear fruit, and such is the way civilizations advance, and that is what this particular endeavor, and those associated with it, are all about.

To all those who have contributed their time, effort, and other precious resources and skill to help me bring these things to you through all the years of struggle, thank you. I hope you will discover here through the Free Articulator an introduction to what it’s all been about, and that as you see this start to shape up and come into practical application that you will not be disappointed, but heartened, encouraged and proud of what you helped bring into being.

I know it has not been easy for you, at times, to put up with me and what you probably perceived as an odd way of doing things, but I tell you…that very way was important and contributed much of value, and it was never easy for me either. Going against the grain of society is never an easy task, but it had to be done for the grain of society and civilization is flawed and it is only by going against that grain that one can discover the things necessary to the resolution of those flaws. Stepping outside the box is never easy, the sides are sheer, vertical and tall, the lid on top is never always open, and getting back in…, well that can be a chore unto itself.

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