Examples of artistic hobbies you can take up:

• Poetry
• Film acting
• Digital art
• Painting
• Sketching
• Theater acting
• Photography
• Graphic design
• Origami
• Creative writing

Organizations that students can join:

• National Art Honor Society

Competitions that students can participate in:

• YoungArts
• Scholastic Art and Writing

There are many smaller competitions that are more specific, and students should do research to find out exactly which ones fit them and their work best.

Self-initiated activities are also important! They cultivate leadership and independence, and because they’re self-initiated, you get to choose what specific goals your efforts go towards. If you want to help teach children fine art, you can start your own painting classes. If you want to raise awareness of an issue you’re passionate about, you can make your own documentary and enter it into filmmaking competitions to increase visibility. If you have ideas that you want to share, you can write and publish your own book. You can start your own club for origami, and gift what you and your members make to hospitals and nursing homes. There are so many possibilities out there. Students should aim to go deep, to be as skilled and experienced as they can be in a particular activity, and use it to give back to the community and impact people.