Empowering young voices through creativity and community—that’s the mission of the Creative Youth Collective. With a background in interdisciplinary arts and years of experience mentoring youth across the globe, co-founder Kathryn Ian Gentzke has co-created a unique space where young writers and photographers can bring their visions to life.

In this interview, Ian Gentzke takes us behind the scenes of the Creative Youth Collective’s latest triumph: their 22-24 Anthology. Join us as we explore the power of self-publishing, the joy of mentorship, and the incredible potential of young minds when given the right tools and support. 

Whether you’re a budding artist, a seasoned self-publisher, or simply curious about the intersection of creativity and youth development, this conversation will inform, inspire, and ignite your creative spark—and give you plenty of ideas for books of your own. Let’s go!

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind founding the Creative Youth Collective and how it has evolved over the past two years?

After graduating with an MFA in Interdisciplinary Studio Practice from California College of the Arts, I launched The CCC Project, an organization dedicated to empowering youth through creativity and activism. Before attending CCA, I spent years leading youth mentorship programs across the San Francisco Bay Area, NYC, Upstate New York, and Berlin, honing a playful, collaborative approach to teaching media arts and writing.

So, in 2016, I founded The CCC Project to work closely with young writers and photographers who have brilliant ideas but need some help bringing them to life. The three C’s—creativity, curiosity, and community—serve as the foundation of my work. With each young artist and writer, we focus on bringing their story worlds to life, sharing their work widely with the hope of inspiring more young people to create and donating royalties from our book sales to organizations that make the kind of positive changes we want to see in the world.

As I worked with these talented young creators, I noticed how much they had in common despite their different backgrounds. So, in 2022, I took things a step further and launched the Creative Youth Collective. Now, alongside our one-on-one sessions, our members come together to share their work, exchange ideas, and support each other. It’s a vibrant, fun community that truly celebrates collaboration!

Could you share a particularly memorable moment or success story from one of the young creators you’ve worked with?

Yes, I’d love to tell you about Anna and her mom, Donna. I had the honor of mentoring Anna and helping her cultivate her passion for photography and writing from the time she was ten years old until she was 17 and preparing to leave for college. Over the years, I also collaborated with Donna on designing Anna’s homeschooling program. Donna consistently encouraged me to trust my instincts as I learned how to weave my two professional paths—being both an artist and educator—together into meaningful, personalized learning experiences that connected with Anna’s growing interests. 

That time with  Anna and Donna deeply informs the pedagogical approach that I use in my work with the Creative Youth Collective—I let my young artists and writers lead with their interests and ideas as I guide them through deepening and developing their creative practice in real-time. 

It’s been a joy and an honor to watch Anna grow as an artist and activist over the years. 

In celebration of Anna’s commitment to her work as a photographer, as well as her deep respect for animals, nature, and the environment, we awarded her the first Creative Youth Collective Scholarship in the spring of 2023. Now, Anna is in her second year studying photojournalism at the Corcoran School of Art and Design at George Washington University, where she continues to follow her passion for photography and environmental conservation. 

And the best part is, we keep in touch! Through The CCC Project, I’ve built lifelong relationships with young creators and their parents, and that is the greatest success I could hope for.

How do you adapt your mentoring style to accommodate the diverse ages and skill levels of the Collective’s members?

My mentoring style is grounded in the belief that the voices of young writers and artists need to be amplified. Each individual has a vision that deserves to be realized and shared. That’s why, in our one-to-one sessions, the young person is always in the driver’s seat. 

I let them lead with their ideas. I listen. I ask questions. I get really curious about their interests and the questions that keep them wondering. Once I have a solid understanding of their goals, I guide them in clarifying their vision, articulating their story, and sharing their creative work. In doing so, I encourage them to see the creative work that they put out into the world as an act of generosity that can inspire others and thus add to the collective good. In a nutshell, my job is to take their ideas seriously and invite them to do the same.

Tell us about your approach to teaching young creators about book design and layout, especially when working with both written and photographic content.

When it’s time to make layout and design decisions, we turn to our favorite books for inspiration. I encourage each young creator to pick three to five books they love and identify the design elements that stand out to them. We explore everything—font, spacing, chapter title pages, the feel of hardcover versus softcover, dust jackets versus image wraps, dedication pages, and even page number placement. They’re often surprised by how many decisions go into book design, but they love being in control and creating a book that’s uniquely their own, and that amplifies their voice on so many levels.

In an era dominated by digital content, why is it important for young creators to experience publishing physical books?

In our digital age, publishing a physical book gives our members a tangible connection to their work. But even more importantly, holding their book, displaying it, and sharing it with others adds a sense of weight and significance to their ideas. In the end, the published book becomes more than a book—for each young author, it reinforces the belief that their thoughts matter, deepens their understanding of their creative development, and builds self-confidence. They really get to experience the feeling of having brought something new into the world in a tangible way. And magically, our members light up with fresh ideas the moment they open their published book for the first time. It’s truly inspiring!

Can you walk us through the process of creating the Creative Youth Collective 22-24 Anthology? What were some key decisions in curating and designing this compilation?

Creating the Creative Youth Collective 22-24 Anthology was a team effort. We started by picking out the excerpts and images that each writer and photographer felt were most meaningful. From there, we focused on balancing the visual and written elements to create a cohesive and engaging collection. The key was making sure that every piece had its own moment to shine while maintaining the feel of a unified whole. The Anthology is all about celebrating the unique voices of our members and crafting something truly special together.

How has working with young authors influenced your own creative practice or perspective on creativity?

Collaborating with members of the Creative Youth Collective has been incredibly inspiring for my own creative practice. They consistently remind me of how crucial it is to carve out time for creativity, not only for the joy of the work and the peace of mind it brings but also for the thrill of publishing something you’re genuinely proud of and sharing it with people who are inspired by it. Building my life around this work has created a wonderful feedback loop: the more I dive into my own creative practice, the better I am at guiding and supporting our young authors. It’s a win-win situation that keeps my creative spirit alive and helps me be a better mentor.

If you could change one thing about the self-publishing industry to better support young authors, what would it be and why?

It would be amazing if the self-publishing industry could create clearer pathways to reach audiences who would appreciate young authors’ books. Imagine having access to kid and teen-focused book fairs, indie bookstores, and school or classroom libraries! These opportunities would not only amplify young authors’ voices—they would also inspire young readers and creators around the globe.

What should organizations keep in mind when starting to incorporate self-publishing into their programs or initiatives?

Every organization has different objectives, so it’s difficult to speak generally here, but having self-published 15 books and counting, I would say that quality work takes time and attention. Don’t rush it. Set up the structures necessary to fully develop ideas, edit for consistent quality, and design the physical product to the highest standards. The extra time it takes to get to the finish line is always worth it.

Beyond purchasing books, how can the broader community contribute to or engage with the Creative Youth Collective’s work?

There are several ways the broader community can support and follow along with the Creative Youth Collective. You can directly support our scholarship program by making a tax-deductible donation of any amount through our website. You can sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news and stay up to date on opportunities to get involved in our community. And you can follow us on our brand-new Instagram profile! 

Is there anything we haven’t asked that you wish we had? And what’s your answer?

As a community-focused organization, I’d like to encourage all of your readers to get in touch if our work resonates with you. We love making new friends. So, for example, if you know of a bookstore or organization that might be interested in our work, we’d love to hear about it. If you’d like to learn more about how your child could apply to join the Creative Youth Collective or apply for our scholarship program, please reach out. And finally, if you’d like to support our scholarship program, please purchase a copy of our anthology. All proceeds directly support our scholarship recipients. 

Thanks so much to Blurb for this opportunity! We’re honored to share our work with you and so grateful for your support. 

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Blurb is your gateway to the world of self-publishing—a platform to bring your creative visions to life. Whether you’re crafting a photo book, a novel, or an anthology like the Creative Youth Collective, Blurb provides the tools and support you need to design, print, and share or sell your work with the world. From concept to finished product, Blurb empowers creators of all levels to tell their stories their way. 

Inspired by Kathryn Ian Gentzke and the young artists of the Creative Youth Collective? Turn your ideas into reality—start your self-publishing journey with Blurb today.